News
Philip Nai: Why behind-the-scenes professionals deserve respect, value, and strategic growth
Nearly two decades in Ghana’s media industry have taught me a defining truth: the strength of any broadcast lies not only in the voice behind the microphone or the face on screen, but in the brilliance of those who work quietly to make it all possible.
From my early days at Vibe FM and Unique FM to my current role as lead producer at Joy FM, I have worked with producers, directors, journalists, editors, camera operators, digital strategists, sound engineers, designers, floor managers, technicians, and countless other creative professionals. Together, we have shaped national and global storytelling projects—turning ideas into unforgettable experiences.
That journey has armed me with a toolkit that goes far beyond the mixing console. Skills in journalism, digital marketing, strategic communication, brand management, project management, procurement and supply chain management, media law, and paralegal practice have strengthened my conviction that behind-the-scenes talent is the true heartbeat of this industry. These professionals deserve respect, fair reward, and the opportunity to grow.
Behind-the-scenes professionals are the architects of every winning show, compelling documentary, and live broadcast. They are not errand boys or girls. They are innovators and leaders whose insight fuels programming, ratings, and revenue. When organisations underpay, sideline, or fail to invest in them, they cripple the very engine that powers their platforms.
Respect begins with decisive action from media owners and executives. Fair pay and transparent, performance-linked bonus structures are not perks—they are the baseline for sustaining excellence. Anything less is exploitation. These professionals build the products that keep stations alive.
It is time to abandon the culture of invisibility and token recognition. Media owners must establish clear, merit-based career ladders—from assistant to lead producer, executive producer, director, and senior leadership. Build professional workplaces where behind-the-scenes talent is treated as brand custodians and partners, not as nameless staff executing orders. When management undervalues its creative engine, the enterprise suffers. When it invests, rewards, and recognises them, it unleashes the innovation and loyalty that secure ratings, revenue, and relevance.
Today’s media landscape demands more than technical skill. Producers and directors must evolve into strategists who read data, manage crises, and align content with shifting audience appetites.
Digital marketing and brand management elevate their programmes and personal brands. Procurement and supply chain expertise keep productions lean and effective. Media law and paralegal skills safeguard contracts, copyright, and intellectual property—protecting both creators and organisations.
To every producer, director, editor, camera professional, and technician—your work is the backbone of this industry. Never shrink from demanding the respect and rewards you have earned. To media owners and executives—the future of your platforms depends on how boldly you invest in, recognise, and elevate the unseen brilliance that keeps audiences coming back. Value them, empower them, and watch your brands thrive.
Local mattress manufacturers have raised serious concerns over the influx of substandard mattresses, warning that these products pose significant health risks to consumers and threaten the sustainability of Ghana’s mattress industry.
At a press briefing held in Kumasi on Tuesday, manufacturers accused unregistered foreign entities, particularly Chinese firms, of flooding the market with cheap mattresses made from polystyrene.
Mr Yaw Ampem Darko, a spokesperson for the local manufacturers, warned that prolonged use of substandard mattresses, especially those made with polystyrene, could result in chronic back pain, musculoskeletal disorders, poor posture, and diminished sleep quality.
These health implications, they stressed, were not always immediately evident but accumulate over time, especially among vulnerable populations such as children and the elderly.
This material, typically used for packaging, is considered unsuitable and unsafe for bedding.
According to industry leaders, these sub-standard products have been circulating for at least five years, gaining traction among unsuspecting consumers due to their unusually low prices.
“These mattresses are being sold at suspiciously low prices, luring unsuspecting consumers who are unaware of the health dangers.”
“We are not just protecting our businesses; we are protecting Ghanaian lives. The government must act swiftly to stem this tide before more citizens fall victim to these dangerous products,” Mr Yaw Ampem Darko stated.
The Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) has acknowledged the issue and, in response, announced a nationwide enforcement campaign aimed at clamping down on the production, distribution, and sale of substandard mattresses.
The campaign, which was scheduled to take effect from September 30, 2025, was empowered by the GSA Act, 2022 (Act 1078), which authorises the Authority to seize and seal non-compliant products and impose sanctions on offenders.
In a statement signed by the Director General of the GSA, Professor George Agyei, the authority cited Sections 29 and 43 of the Act, reiterating that all mattresses sold in Ghana must meet established national standards or face confiscation.
The statement further emphasised that mattresses failing to meet these standards not only compromise sleep quality but also contribute to long-term health complications, including spinal and neck pain.
Despite the GSA’s commitment, manufacturers have expressed frustration over delays in implementation and called for stronger enforcement mechanisms.
They urged the GSA to work in close collaboration with the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority and national law enforcement agencies to identify and prosecute violators of Ghana’s quality standards.
Manufacturers are also appealing to consumers to remain vigilant and prioritise their health by verifying that any mattress they purchase bears the GSA certification mark.
Moreover, they caution the public against purchasing suspiciously cheap mattresses that lack proper labelling or identifiable branding, as these were often indicators of substandard or counterfeit products.
As the official enforcement deadline had expired with no show, the local producers insisted that much more than business interests were at stake.
They argued that without swift and sustained action, the health and safety of Ghanaian consumers would continue to be compromised.
“Public awareness, strict enforcement, and collaboration among regulatory bodies are essential if we are to protect the integrity of the local industry and the wellbeing of the Ghanaian people,” Mr Darko indicated.
From Kingsley E. Hope, Kumasi
Join our WhatsApp Channel now!
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBElzjInlqHhl1aTU27
The Founder of the Raissa Child Protection Initiative, Ms Raissa Sambou, has urged authorities to impose severe punishment on individuals, including teachers and guardians, who sexually abuse young girls.
Speaking in an interview to mark this year’s International Day of the Girl Child (October 11), Ms Sambou condemned the increasing cases of sexual exploitation involving minors, describing such acts as “heartless, criminal, and a total betrayal of trust.”
She noted that those entrusted with the care and education of children must not be the same people who violate them, stressing that “anyone found guilty of abusing a girl child must face the full rigours of the law without leniency.”
The International Day of the Girl Child is observed annually to promote the rights of girls, empower them to reach their full potential, and draw attention to the challenges they face worldwide.
Ms Sambou lamented that poverty continues to push many young girls into vulnerable situations, exposing them to exploitation.
She expressed concern that some headmasters, teachers, and community members who should protect girls rather take advantage of them.
“This must stop immediately. The safety of every girl must never be compromised,” she said, urging the public to report all forms of abuse to the appropriate authorities and called for swift action by law enforcement agencies against perpetrators.
Addressing girls directly, Ms Sambou encouraged them to take their education seriously and to believe in their potential.
“It is possible to be young and responsible. Your future is bright, protect it, believe in it, and never let anyone dim your light,” she advised.
She further urged girls to choose their friends wisely, stay disciplined, and speak up if anyone makes sexual advances toward them.
Ms Sambou concluded with a rallying call for collective action, saying “speak up, protect them, and empower them. Together, we can end the sexual exploitation of girls.”
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
Join our WhatsApp Channel now!
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBElzjInlqHhl1aTU27
