Ace broadcaster Kwami Sefa Kayi has called on media practitioners in Ghana to use their various platforms for more societal good and less sensationalism.

He was sharing his journey into broadcasting with Rev. Albert Ocran on the grand finale of the Engine Room series on Springboard, Your Virtual University on Joy FM.

According to the Chairman-General, as he’s affectionately called by many, “media houses have to look at the fact that they can use their media to do a lot more societal good, and less of bashing and bringing down people.

“I think sensationalism should be lowered a bit more and we must look at how journalists, broadcasters, media practitioners would give back to society because the issues we are faced with are a lot more development oriented”, he added

Speaking on how broadcasting has influenced his perspectives and interests over the years, the founder of Kokrokoo Charities Foundation said, “I have been at the forefront of asking the questions, offering solutions, interviewing all kinds of people, reading and researching, now, it’s time to take my seat at the table and see what I can also contribute.

"And that’s why I accepted to be on the board of NPA to understand how state institutions are run and also contribute my quota to national development”, he said.

Below are the top 10 Lessons from Kwami Sefa Kayi
• Mentoring. I didn’t get access to my role models like Sam Jonah, Kwaku Sakyi Addo, Mike Eghan and Tommy Annan Forson when I was younger. I would have asked them questions as a reference point for decision making.

• Early Influencers. I was influenced by my mother, who presented Latin American Rhythms at GBC and George Crabbe, who put me on his laps at age ten and asked me a few questions on radio. But I never wanted the microphone.

• Military Attraction. My father was in the army; I grew up admiring the officers, their starchy uniforms, military vehicles and wanting to join the army. My mother didn’t want that and with the help of people like Alex Ofori Karikari and Janet Owusu, gently and prayerfully steered me towards writing and acting.
• Radio. Ekow Budu Manuel gave me my first introduction to a radio role. He showed me the ropes and gave me the opportunity on a youth show called ‘Leaders of Tomorrow’.
• Professionalism versus Ratings. Learning under Sam Yeboah, it wasn’t about sensationalism and what sells. It was about research, informing, educating and entertaining. Today, some focus solely on entertaining, and it can get noisy.
• Role of Komla. Komla Dumor was at different times a fan, a friend, a competitor and again a friend. He brought life and verve to his show and rose to unimaginable heights. We often compared notes, even as competitors.
• Broadcasting in Twi. It was a totally new territory for me and it was almost a gamble. Komla thought it was crazy because his preference was for me to replace him at Joy when he was going to Harvard.
• Vocabulary. There is a need to constantly update your vocabulary to cover incidents and subject matters that do not feature in your regular reportage.
• Broadcast Focus. I find myself handling more serious issues today than I did in the past. Things were politically more heated 20 years ago.But where we are as a nation requires a stronger developmental orientation.
• Board Role. I accepted a board role at the National Petroleum Authority because I decided I had to step up and contribute to solving national problems. I pray that I can make a meaningful impact.