Veteran broadcaster and founder of Rabodef Radio Academy, Tommy Annan-Forson, has revealed how an unexpected illness became the turning point in his journey to radio, a career he never imagined as a young man.
Speaking on The Career Trail program on Joy Learning TV and Joy News, Tommy revealed that like many children, he had big dreams. He wanted to be a pilot, a doctor, or follow another traditional path. But as he progressed through school, reality started to shape his ambitions.
“It was difficult because, at the time, if you didn’t have all your grades, it was pretty difficult to get a job. My grades in English, Literature, and History were good, but my mathematics was not so strong. That made it hard to focus on what I wanted to do,” he shared.
Determined to learn a trade, Forson turned to mechanics.
“Anytime we were on holidays, I was free, so I decided to learn a trade. I was fascinated with pulling toys apart as a child. I loved taking things apart and putting them back together. My eldest late brother had a workshop in Osu, so I used to go there and he taught me the job. Being a mechanic felt natural for me, and I was pretty good with my hands,” he recalled.
But life had other plans. Forson fell ill with hepatitis (jaundice), which confined him to bed for several weeks.
“I was down with hepatitis, and it affected my liver and kidneys, so I couldn’t move around. That’s when my destiny changed. I realized indeed, every misfortune at a point in time is a blessing in disguise,” he recounted.
“While I was bedridden, I did a lot of reading and one day I stumbled upon a program on radio. I wasn’t really a radio person; I preferred listening to my cassettes. But then I heard the voice of Amankwah Ampofo, the music he played and the way he spoke intrigued me so much that even when I was sick, I dressed up and went to GBC to meet him,” he continued.
Tommy Forson described Ampofo as approachable and friendly after meeting the retired journalist and broadcaster.
“He listened to me, and we became friends. That was how my journey into radio started. I began as a DJ at Babylon Club in Laboni, and one day Ampofo invited me to GBC for an interview about my DJ work. He asked me why I didn’t do radio, because I had a good voice and spoke well. I had never thought of it, but he encouraged me to give it a try,” he narrated.
His first break came unexpectedly when Ampofo could not host his Saturday program and asked Forson to fill in. Tommy Forson revealed that he was reluctant to go on air because he was not a staff member, but he agreed.
“Though I did well, my performance caused some stir at the station. The late director of radio called me and asked if I was the one on air. When I said yes, he told me he liked what he heard and asked why I didn’t apply for a permanent position. I applied and got a letter of employment, and that was how my radio journey started,” he expanded.
Over the years, Forson worked his way up at GBC. He started as a program assistant, and typically the next steps would have been senior program assistant, then producer assistant. But his dedication and hard work set him apart.
“I was the only person at that time who went from program assistant straight to producer because of my dedication to work. I didn’t know I was being watched, but my hard work was noticed. Instead of moving me to senior program assistant, they promoted me straight to producer. That caused an uproar, but it was well deserved,” he highlighted.
Reflecting on his career, Forson said his lack of a degree never held him back.
“I didn’t have a degree, but I wanted to do this well. Once I got a job, I was determined to give it my all. Radio isn’t just a job; it’s something you must use every skill you have to explore and become better at. That mindset has carried me through more than 47 years in broadcasting. I’ve received 32 awards in total in my career, including one from Former President John Agyekum Kufuor,” he said.
Tommy Annan Forson’s story shows how unexpected turns, determination, and the willingness to seize opportunities can shape a career in ways a young dreamer could never imagine. Today, he is rightly regarded as one of Ghana’s most influential broadcasters, often called the grandfather of radio for his pioneering contributions and decades-long impact on the industry.
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