Uncle Ebo Whyte- My Joy FM Story

Last Thursday, May 1, 2025, Winston asked me to share my JOY story. I promised him I would do so today. Here is my story.

I owe my JOY FM journey to four people. I am eternally grateful to each of them.

The first person is Mawuko Zormelo. He worked at GBC while I hosted WorldView there. We became friends and often exchanged ideas. One day, he mentioned a friend opening a private FM station. That friend was Mr. Kwasi Twum, and the station was Joy FM.

When the station launched, Mawuko encouraged me to join. He said Mr. Twum had a huge vision for the station. Based on his endorsement, I left GBC and waited to meet Mr. Twum. Mawuko arranged the meeting for me.

At that time, JOY FM had been on air for about a year. I hadn’t paid much attention to its programming lineup. When Mr. Twum asked about it, I struggled to answer and felt unprepared. I knew I lost my chance then, but Mawuko kept looking for another opportunity for me.

The second person who helped me is the late Dusty Wayne. I met him at GBC when he hosted Leaders For Tomorrow. He later joined JOY FM as producer of the Super Morning Show. Dusty needed someone who could discuss various issues on-air.

He called this segment the Rover Report and sought me out based on Mawuko's recommendation. I eagerly accepted his offer and appreciated his support.

The third person is Tommy Annan Forson, a radio celebrity before JOY FM started. He had an incredible voice and co-hosted with Dusty Wayne as producer and standby host. Tommy and I developed great chemistry on-air.

He nicknamed me Uncle Ebo during our shows and also called me Roverman because of the Rover Report segment.

The fourth person in my JOY FM story is Mr. Kwasi Twum himself. In those early days, he was very hands-on with everything at the station.

Mr. Twum demanded excellence from everyone involved in JOY FM’s growth and success.

In those days, I wrote my presentations by hand in a notebook but often struggled to read them due to poor handwriting caused by rushing.

This led to many fumbles on-air that frustrated Mr. Twum greatly.

One day he took my notebook during a studio session and told me how to improve my writing style.

Mr. Twum mentored us all directly or indirectly during those formative years at JOY FM.

He established a library for us because he believed in education within radio.

After all these years, he remains one of the most inspiring people I've met.

My claim to fame at JOY FM is becoming head of Christian programming.

This role made me responsible for producing all religious programs aired there.

I must also mention Samuel Atta Mensah (Samens) and Komla Dumor’s legacy.

Samens kept everyone motivated while Komla made us look good behind the console.

In those early days, we had a jingle that said “Radio gets results.”

I am proof of that statement; Roverman Productions thrived thanks to radio's power.

I owe much of who I am today to JOY FM and Multimedia Group.

Since Tommy Annan Forson’s time, I've worked with every Super Morning Show host.

Each relationship has enriched my experience significantly over time.

Though we changed the segment name from Rover Report to Food For Thought,
the joy it brings remains unchanged.

I feel honored to be part of the Super Morning Show team,
even if just a small part,
and give God all glory for this opportunity.

Long live Mr. Kwasi Twum! Long live Multimedia Group! Long live JOY FM! Long live free media in Ghana!

Written by James Ebo Whyte (Uncle Ebo Whyte)