Today is 12th October, 2024, but let’s flip the calendar to a certain moment in 2021. On this day, I had finished a fine interview on the morning show and was headed for a meeting around Labone estates.
I was in the company of a certain Uber driver, and from the moment I entered the ride from the premises of TV Africa, this driver kept on fidgeting with his radio as if he was looking for something.
From experience, many of these Uber drivers keep their radio dials on the first station in their cars, however this middle-aged driver seemed like an exception.
Unlike some of his colleagues I’ve booked, this fellow was eagerly trying to tune in to Joy FM and I wondered why he was going through that struggle, when he could just allow the music to play for us to ride on.
Now pardon how I construct my Twi but this is what he said, “Jack, ɛnyɛ mi fault o. Girl bi shɛ saa station hɔ na ɛbɔ 12 aaa ɔka brofo tu !!! ‘ To wit, it’s not my fault, but there’s this particular lady who sweetens the airwaves with good English on Joy FM at 12pm.
Following this explanation for his restless behaviour, I thought to myself, who was this lady who was making this driver itch when he should be focused on the road? His praises however piqued my interest; and now I was willing to understand the basis of his obsession.
Minutes later, the jingle played and what followed was simply electrifying!!! Here was Emefa Apawu opening the news with an intro and a voice too sleek to ignore.
Even though I wore a nose mask, the driver was able to read the smile on my face and you can imagine how he felt vindicated in his skin!
‘Senior, sɛ wo chɛɛki nu’? To wit, ‘you’re impressed, aren’t you?’, the driver said in a proud tone. Of course I was stunned! But because a book cannot be judged by its cover, I wanted to hear more.
As a result, I paid rapt attention to the bulletin and by the time Emefa was done, her energy, voice and poise had had a positive impression on my mind; marking the genesis of my admiration for this presenter.
Fast forward, I joined the rest of the team at JoyNews, and by the time of my exit, I had concluded that beyond being a pleasant and captivating voice on both TV and radio, the Ewe broadcaster was also pleasant in person.
Indeed, my interactions with her were truly memorable, and this brings to mind a day she was dropping me off after work. It was a regular Sunday evening, and after I was done with the 7pm news on TV, I waited for her to also finish her Sunday night show, The Probe.
Of course, I cannot disclose the details of that chat on our way home, but that talk in her car, cemented my impression that it is not every big voice on radio who’s selfish and concerned about their good alone.
I want to believe that anyone who has read this piece up to this point may assume that perhaps Emefa is a smooth lane without bumps, but that’s far from right!
Just like every other human being, she also has her fair share of imperfections, but those glitches do not dim her extremely pleasant, affable and warm personality; and I know this from a place of personal experience.
Despite what was largely a beautiful rapport, one day we had a work-related clash in the office. That night proved to be one of my worst moments because I didn’t even understand how I ended up having an altercation with somebody whom I held so dear at heart!
When I jumped into bed that evening, my thoughts were completely disoriented and apart from feeling remorse, the feeling I had was like how we feel when we crash the screen of our favourite phones or the sadness that comes with dropping a wedding ring in the sink.
Now after that incident, my fear was that that event was going to define the rest of her relationship with me, but my expectations were heavily disappointed, and that’s why I may not be wrong to say Emefa is that colleague who doesn’t hold grudges like a witch.
Of a fact, folks like that are rare, and on a day like this, my prayer is for God to keep her grounded, sound and blessed beyond her expectation.
Unlike our waters which have been grossly polluted and defaced by galamsey, may nothing discolour her glow, and may no heat melt her goodness or burn away her passions and aspirations. Happy Birthday to a firm, true and talented professional! Irene Emefa Apawu.