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Passion, self-improvement have driven me this far …A J Akuoko Sarpong shares her story
Even though her dream to become a lawyer like her father, Omanhene of Agogo Traditional Area, Nana Kwame Akuoko Sarpong, did not materialise, she has been able to carve a niche for herself in the world of broadcasting.
To her – the journey though encountered some ups and downs, had been a fulfilling one, considering the impact made so far.
Hostess of Brunch in the Citi and The Chat on Citi TV, Adjoa Akuoko Sarpong, affectionately called AJ Sarpong, has attributed her over-a-decade impact on the media landscape to passion laced with self-improvement.
In an interview with The Spectator, AJ Sarpong, who is currently pursuing her Second Masters degree in Brands and Communications Managementat the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA), wants to leave an indelible mark in the next phase of her career.
Indeed, she wants to take charge of bigger opportunities as the best Master of Ceremony (MC) at life-size shows in Africa and the world.
Background
AJ, who hails from Asante Akyem Agogo in the Ashanti Region, was born in Accra, to Nana Kwame Akuoko Sarpong and Madam Alice Afful Asmah, a former shipper.
She has 15 other siblings, comprising nine sisters and four brothers
“On my mother’s side, we are two and 14 on my father’s side. In all, I am the last born,” she said.
Education and Media journey
Not even the yearly travels to London at age five, as a result of her mother’s work schedule, could have effect on her education.
She started her education at Sacs Kingdergarten, from there to Alsyd Academy, later to Englebert School – all in Accra.
AJ moved to Akosombo International in the Eastern Region and later to Galaxy International School, where she changed from the Ghanaian system of education to the Cambridge System of the United Kingdom.
The hostess of The Chat had an option of going back to Galaxy International School for her ‘A’ level or home tuition, “but I chose to be taught by some of my teachers, and used six months to write my exams, which I would have used two years for.”
At a random glance through the newspapers, she saw an advertisement for Personal Assistant to Confidence Haugen, owner of Aphrodisiac Nite Club.
“I applied, and interestingly increased my age to 18, to qualify because I was then 16 years.”
Luckily, she got the job and worked with Confidence Haugen for a year and moved to Ghana Music.com.
“I then furthered my education at the University of Ghana, Theatre Arts and Political Science as a Ghanaian with foreign background in 2010, while I was still working with Ghana Music and YFM in Accra,” she said.
According to AJ, her love to be in the media grew stronger, when she was in Level 200 and started freelancing for media houses in her final year, featuring on Entertainment Shows on Radio Gold, GTV, TV3 and GHOne – reviewing Big Brother Reality Show.
GHOne
“At GHOne as an entertainment pundit, a new show dubbed Tales, hosted by Naa Ashorkor was introduced and I she was made to join the panel on Wednesdays to discuss life and family issues.”
Interestingly, when she graduated from University of Ghana, AJ spoke to the management of GHOne, and had the opportunity to do her National Service there as the producer for Tales, got confirmed afterwards and worked at the media house for five years.
“It got to a point I had done everything at GHOne, sat in as hostess of every entertainment show with the exception of Pundit. When EIB came in, I worked with Starr and Live FM. So after doing same thing for many years, I decided to challenge myself. I decided to quit, and move on. I must say it was a mutual conversation,” she revealed.
Citi FM/TV
“After my Masters in journalism at the Ghana Institute of Journalism, I travelled a bit. While away, there was a conversation and upon my return, the female member of the Citi Breakfast Show had gone for a long school break, so there was a vacancy for me to fill.”
She said, at the time, Richard Dela Sky, Kojo Akoto Boateng and Bernard Avle were on the show, “and I must say, I was scared, I was just 25 years old then and had to pray about it for about a month to know if it was the right step.”
According to her, “the worse thing in life is to move too quickly and crash.” After prayer and conversations with the team, she realised it would be a good move. While on the Citi FM Breakfast Show, she had the opportunity to work with Cti TV as well.
“At a point, the host of Brunch In the Citi went on leave, I was made to sit in for a month; I took some two weeks to learn how to play my own songs, and took up the task,” she said.
Even though the tempo was background music, AJ Sarpong tweaked it, and after a month, the ratings had changed and she was asked to host the show permanently, “I took the opportunity and ran with it.”
Advice
“Self-improvement has always been my preoccupation. I love to read, and I am passionate about it. Indeed, there is a lot of hard work behind the glamour.”
For this reason, AJ has advised young people aiming to climb higher in various endeavours to have these principles at the back of their minds and run with them.
Fellowship, leisure and favourite food
AJ Sarpong fellowships with Winners Chapel International, Dzorwulu branch.
She loves sleeping at her leisure, or watching movies on bed.
Her favourite food is Jollof. “I cook the best jollof and I can represent Ghana in any Jollof competition.”
In a world where stories shape perceptions and influence change, Michelle Eyram Yorgbe, stands out as a compelling voice dedicated to using media as a tool for transformation.
An accomplished journalist and filmmaker, her journey is one marked by excellence, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to social impact.
Eyram’s story begins at Mawuli Secondary School, where her passion for the arts and communication first took root.
Even at a young age, she exhibited a deep curiosity about the world around her and a desire to tell stories that matter. This early interest would later blossom into a purposeful career in media and storytelling.
Her academic path led her to the National Film and Television Institute (NAFTI), where she pursued a Diploma in Film Directing and Script Writing.
At NAFTI, Eyram honed her creative instincts, learning to craft narratives that not only entertain but also educate and inspire.
Her training laid a strong foundation, equipping her with the technical and artistic skills needed to excel in the dynamic world of film and media.
Driven by a desire to engage more deeply with public discourse, Eyram continued her education at the University of Media, Arts and Communication – Institute of Film and Television (UniMAC-IFT), where she pursued a Bachelor of Arts in Broadcast Journalism.
Her dedication and discipline quickly set her apart. She graduated with First Class Honours and was named the Overall Best Student of UniMAC-IFT in 2024, a remarkable achievement that underscored her commitment to excellence.
But she’s not one to rest on her laurels. After that feat, Eyram advanced to the University of Media, Arts and Communication – Institute of Journalism (UniMAC-IJ) for her Master’s degree in Journalism. Once again, she distinguished herself academically, graduating as the Valedictorian of her cohort with an outstanding Final Grade Point Average of 3.94.
“It’s a big honour to graduate as the Overall Best Graduating student with an outstanding Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 3.94 in the MA in Journalism,” she shared her joy with The Spectator.
“What makes it even more beautiful was coming out as the Valedictorian on two occasions. I am so proud. This would, however mean nothing without a direct impact of this on society,” she said.
Her academic journey reflects not only intellectual brilliance but also a relentless pursuit of growth and impact.
In 2025, Eyram’s excellence gained international recognition when she was selected for further studies in Norway through a partnership between UniMAC-IJ and NLA University College under the Erasmus Mundus Mobility Programme.
This opportunity marked a significant milestone, allowing her to expand her horizons, engage with global perspectives, and refine her craft on an international stage.
Yet, beyond her impressive academic achievements, what truly defines Eyram is her heart for service.
She is deeply committed to advocacy and social development, particularly in championing gender equity and supporting marginalised communities.
Her passion for making a difference has seen her actively involved in community initiatives that bring tangible change to people’s lives.
As a volunteer with the Ghanaian Heritage Organisation, an NGO founded by members of the Ghanaian diaspora, Eyram played a pivotal role in community development projects across the Volta Region. Notably, she contributed to efforts that provided boreholes to underserved villages, bringing clean and accessible water to communities in need.
As the organisation’s only member based in Ghana, her role was both unique and impactful, bridging the gap between local needs and diaspora support.
Her commitment to social change is further reflected in her role as a co-founder of the Dreams Impact Foundation, an initiative she established alongside her sisters.
Through this foundation, Eyram has offered support to vulnerable groups by distributing sanitary products to schoolgirls and prison inmates, while also providing essential items to widows in disadvantaged communities.
These acts of compassion demonstrate her belief that storytelling must go hand in hand with action.
Outside her professional and humanitarian work, Eyram is an avid reader and a lover of films. These passions continue to enrich her perspective, shaping her understanding of narratives and reinforcing her dedication to telling stories that resonate and inspire.
As she steps into the next phase of her journey, she remains steadfast in her mission—to use journalism and storytelling as powerful tools for advocacy, social transformation, and amplifying the voices of the unheard.
Her story is not just one of personal success, but of purpose, a reminder that when talent meets passion and service, the result is truly transformative.
Indeed, Eyram is not only telling stories; she is changing lives, one narrative at a time through storytelling and service.
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
In the world of sports, athletes often take center stage while the role of officials remains equally critical, yet less celebrated.
One Ghanaian is steadily changing that narrative. He is Aziz Adimah, a dedicated hockey umpire whose journey from the school field to the international arena reflects passion, resilience, and purpose.
Aziz Adimah’s story with hockey began during his secondary school days. Introduced to the sport in his second year by a peer tutor, what started as a casual interest quickly evolved into a lifelong commitment.
After completing school, he continued playing actively, but by 2008, he made a defining decision to pursue officiating seriously.
That decision marked the beginning of a remarkable turn in his sports journey.
While many athletes aspire to reach the pinnacle as players, Aziz recognised a different path to longevity and impact in the sport. According to him, playing careers especially at the national level can be short-lived, often limited to a few major tournaments.
Officiating, however, offered a broader horizon.
Through umpiring, Aziz found an opportunity not only to stay connected to the sport but also to rise through the global ranks. His dedication has since earned him a place on the international stage, where he proudly represents Ghana.
One of Aziz’s greatest motivations is the honour of representing his country internationally. Having officiated in global competitions, including World Cup qualifiers, he describes the experience as both humbling and inspiring.
Among his most memorable moments was officiating a high-intensity match between Pakistan and England during a World Cup qualifying tournament.
The pace, skill, and tactical depth of the game left a lasting impression on him and reinforced his passion for the profession.
“Being alone on that stage, representing your country is a special kind of pride,” he reflects.
Like every profession, umpiring comes with its own set of challenges. For Aziz, two stand out: logistics and performance expectations.
Unlike players who often benefit from structured team support, umpires must sometimes navigate limited resources, including travel logistics. Additionally, officials are expected to perform at standards higher than the level of play in their home countries which required constant learning, exposure, and adaptation to global trends.
Another major challenge lies in decision-making under pressure. Aziz recounts a particularly difficult moment when, as a video referee, he had to review footage and make a call that resulted in a player receiving a yellow card and a ten-minute suspension.
“In such moments, you know that if you get it wrong, it affects the entire game,” he explains.
Umpiring demands sharp judgment, often within split seconds. Aziz emphasises that fans and players must understand the intensity of this responsibility.
“The umpire processes everything in a split second. Sometimes you get it right, sometimes you don’t but the pressure is always there.”
Fortunately, he highlights the strong support system within the hockey hierarchy; from coaches to technical teams which provides room for reflection, learning, and growth.
Beyond officiating, Aziz is deeply committed to developing hockey in Ghana.
He runs an academy that focuses on nurturing young talent, with programmes for both youth and university students.
Currently, the academy trains players under 20 and is expanding its reach within tertiary institutions.
His goal is to build a strong pipeline of talent while also promoting officiating as a viable pathway in the sport.
However, he notes a significant gap in female participation, particularly in umpiring.
Efforts are underway to intentionally recruit and mentor more women into officiating roles, including collaborations with schools and international professionals.
Outside the hockey field, Aziz maintains a professional career, balancing work responsibilities with his demanding schedule as an umpire.
He credits his workplace –Promasidor Ghana Limited, for being supportive, allowing him to travel for international assignments.
Despite the challenges, he considers hockey not just a profession, but a form of leisure; something he genuinely enjoys.
Currently serving on the international panel just below the elite level, Aziz is determined to climb higher.
His immediate goal is to secure the required assessment scores to qualify for the top-tier panel, which would enable him to officiate at prestigious events such as the World Cup and the Olympic Games.
Driven by ambition, he hopes to become one of the first Ghanaian umpires to reach that level.
To young people considering a career in hockey officiating, Aziz offers both encouragement and realism. While the profession may not yet provide full financial security, it offers exposure, growth, and the chance to make a mark globally.
With structural improvements expected in international hockey, he believes the future holds greater opportunities for umpires worldwide.
A husband and father of two, Aziz Adimah embodies balance, discipline, and vision. His journey is not just about personal achievement but about elevating Ghana’s presence in international hockey.
Through every whistle blown and every decision made, he continues to inspire a new generation proving that sometimes, the most powerful impact in sports comes not from scoring goals, but from ensuring the game is played right.
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
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