Veteran broadcaster Tommy Annan Forson, celebrated for his decades-long impact on Ghanaian radio, has shared how he broke tradition at Ghana Broadcasting Corporation to develop his own unique on-air style.
Speaking on The Career Trail program, which aired on Joy Learning TV and Joy News, Forson explained that when he began at GBC, the station enforced strict rules on how presenters should behave on air. Everything was rigid, and deviations were not tolerated—but he wanted to stand out.
“GBC had a kind of straight-jacket policy; you were supposed to present in a very rigid way. You had to do this, do that, and follow all the rules. But I wanted to get myself away from that and differentiate myself from those who were on air,” he said.
His determination led to a historic first: he became the very first person on GBC radio to laugh on air.
“It might interest you to know that I was the very first person on GBC radio to actually laugh on air because you were not allowed to laugh. I mean, it was beyond anything. The policy was strict; you had to obey. But I was determined to disobey the rules, come what may,” he revealed.
The decision was not without pushback.
“I was queried for it, of course, but I told them, ‘Look, take me as I am. This is Tommy Annan for you. I want to be different from others.’ And eventually, it was accepted,” he underscored.
His approach paved the way for a new style on GBC radio.
“That’s how today even people are just laughing by heart on radio stations. I started telling jokes, yet carefully making sure I would not step on anybody’s toes. I knew my boundaries,” he explained.
Forson’s willingness to break the mold helped define his signature style and left a lasting influence on Ghanaian broadcasting. By daring to laugh when no one else could, he entertained listeners and opened the door for future generations of radio presenters to bring personality, humor, and authenticity to the airwaves.
