Exit ‘The Grandmaster’: Game over!

I don’t know how he got the accolade ‘The Grandmaster’ but having studied him closely as my boss and senior colleague, I don’t need a soundbite of that story because Godwin Avenorgbo was professional to a fault.

Speaking fine English and pouncing on the least opportunity to tell his audience he learned to speak good English in lower primary, were not more boastful of a trait than his exhibition of professionalism and demand for same.

Before and during my journalism training at the Ghana Institute of Journalism (GIJ) (1994 – 1996), Godwin Avenorgbo was very grand in broadcasting and I got hooked to his professional brand.

On stage, whether as programme host on radio or Master of Ceremony at state and public functions, his eloquence, delivery skills and powerful voice engaged his audience, as he drove them to celestial realms.

Indeed, he emceed many high-profile state, public and traditional events, and he became a national asset for that reason.

When I engaged him at Broadcasting House between 1996 and the early 2000s, I found how he was driven by passion towards professionalism, and he touched me with that trait with a pat on the shoulder.

During his tenure as Director of Radio, I received a number of commendation letters for hard work and professional excellence, and although those letters were not legal tender for payment of goods, they paid off well for my pursuit of excellence for good.

That simple act of appreciation and recognition which is extinct in many workplaces, brought alive the passion in me to pursue professional excellence at all times.

Reconnection at GJA

After leaving GBC (him through retirement and me through resignation), voluntary service at the Ghana International Press Centre reconnected us and our common denominators – professionalism, excellence and passion – were harnessed for the good of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA).

Having served in the Tengey Administration as Executive Member of the GJA four decades ago (1985 – 1988), tireless ‘Big G’ (his other nickname) continued to render precious services to the GJA, and although those services were voluntary and unpaid for, he never held back his sense of professionalism, excellence and passion from whatever role he was assigned.

That was why the immediate-past National Executive (of which I was a member), in 2019, invited him to serve on the GJA 70th Anniversary Planning Committee, and, as usual, he gave his all to the call.

Early this year, when the current National Executive (of which I am a member) decided to constitute a planning committee for the GJA 75th Anniversary, the name of ‘The Grandmaster’ immediately popped up and his choice as chairman was promptly settled.

In that chair, he came to the table with his trademark – professionalism, excellence and passion, with the view to ensuring that we got things right at all times.

He critiqued things to the minutest point and, indeed, he was overly critical sometimes, scolding people who wore T-shirt and sandals or slippers for improper dressing, and others who showed their teeth when asked to smile in a photoshoot for lack of etiquette.

We had disagreements, sometimes very strongly; but one thing I found impressive about him was that whether he had his way or only his say, he led the team to get the job done.

Farewell engagement

On August 15, 2024, at a public lecture at the La Palm Royal Beach Hotel, to commemorate the 75th birthday of the GJA, ‘The Grandmaster’ took the centerstage; he was part of a three-member panel discussion that began the programme, and he later delivered a speech as the Anniversary Committee Chairman.

In both instances, his tongue did not slip from stressing the imperative of professionalism in journalism, telling the moderator before wrapping up in the panel discussion that: “If you don’t stop me, I could go on and on”.

The moderator stopped him, thankfully, but later, when he took the centerstage again at the invitation of acapella by Alabaster Box, ‘The Grandmaster’ would not be restrained from dancing.

At the reception that followed the public lecture, he interacted with almost everyone around, as he continued teaching etiquette, sharing jokes and taking pictures.

That was the last public engagement he had; four days after that memorable anniversary celebration, on Monday, August 19, 2024, we received the shocking news of his demise.

Perhaps, he was destined to sign off at that event, and once ‘The Grandmaster’ leaves the stage, the game is over for his brand of emceeing; we may never have his kind anytime soon.

Champion of unity and peace

The GJA has gone through some bitter experiences in recent years, especially before, during and after the last elections of the Association in 2022.

As a result, some members feel aggrieved for various reasons, whether known or unknown, or justifiable or unjustifiable.

That is why some members have distanced themselves from the Association.

I know Godwin Avenorgbo had many concerns (some of them very critical) but he chose not to distance himself, nevertheless, and he found time to reach out with his criticisms and pieces of advice to individual members of the National Executive.

His acceptance to chair the 75th Anniversary Planning Committee is ample testimony of my submission, and I must add that many others had either declined, or not responded to, our invitation for such activities of the GJA.

The details of this headline are embargoed for the near future, but in paying tribute to Godwin Avenorgbo, his commitment to the GJA (not to individuals) is humbling and highly appreciated.

In planning activities to commemorate the 75th Anniversary, a proposal was made to organise a reception for retired members before the GJA birthday on August 15.

But we put that activity on hold based on the good counsel of ‘The Grandmaster’ that we should patch the cracks before we crack the party.

Apparently, he was working with senior colleagues like Ambassador Kabral Blay-Amihere, to engage other senior members who feel aggrieved and had distanced themselves from the GJA, to leave the past where it belongs, and come along into the future of rebuilding the Association.

Unfortunately, ‘The Grandmaster’ could not see the fruits of that unity and peace mission before his departure.

But the people he engaged in that mission and, indeed, all members of the GJA, can make the farewell cliché to the dead: “RIP” (Rest in Peace) more meaningful only when we act in concert to realise this mission.

‘The Grandmaster’, as the GJA opens a Book of Condolence in your memory on Monday, August 26, 2024, I wish to thank you for the huge impact you made on the GJA in particular, and the Ghanaian media industry in general.

You have earned, in my humble view, the accolades of ‘Legend’ and ‘Trailblazer’ of the GJA.
Adieu!

The writer is the General Secretary of the Ghana Journalists Association and communication lecturer at Wisconsin International University College, Ghana

Email: kofiyebo@yahoo.com