Media space short-lived, don’t overstay your welcome –Vim Lady tells colleagues

GHANAIAN broadcaster Afia Pokua, popularly known as Vim Lady, has warned media practitioners to consider the things they do to stay relevant in the space, especially when these actions could compromise their integrity.

She stressed that the media space was highly transient, and individuals in the field were often quickly forgotten, regardless of how much attention they once commanded.

She therefore urged media professionals to focus on building meaningful and lasting contributions rather than relying on short-term strategies that might bring temporary fame but ultimately lead to a bad end to their career.

In a telephone conversation with Graphic Showbiz on Monday, October 14, 2024, Vim Lady who has currently taken a break from active media work advised her colleagues that chasing relevance by engaging in sensational or controversial behaviour, whether positive or negative, was ultimately futile.

She pointed out that once they exited the spotlight, they were often swiftly forgotten, no matter how hard they tried to maintain public interest during their peak.

 “Being away from the media space these few years has given me a valuable perspective: out of sight, indeed, means out of mind. It's a harsh reality check that people tend to forget about us when we're no longer in their immediate circle.”

“One thing I can say is that, if you take the wrong route because you want to always be in people’s faces, it will end badly. As professionals, we should know there is time for everything and even if we go the extra mile to stay relevant, once our time is up, we are gone forever and no one cares again,” she added.

While acknowledging the demanding nature of media work, Vim Lady emphasised the importance of not allowing work to overshadow personal relationships. According to her, maintaining a fine balance can foster stronger family connections while still excelling in their careers too. (Read also: Afia Pokua’s case with Asantehene traumatized me, I'm officially changing my name to Vim lady)

“Let’s not pit marriage and family against career. Instead, let’s strive for balance. While a fulfilling career can assure financial stability and personal growth, it's the love and support of family that truly enriches life. A successful career can't rescue you from life's challenges, but a loving family can provide unwavering support and so we should learn to maintain a balance between these two.”

“For years, I prioritised fighting for better conditions and advocating others, neglecting my own needs in the process. But I've come to understand that self-care and self-prioritisation aren't selfish; they're essential in the media space because no matter what, you would be forgotten someday,” she said.