Vibe?s Ten Years of Keeping the Capital Alive

Accra, April 3, 2006 -- Tune in, Accra listeners, because the ?soul of the capital? is having a party! That?s right, Vibe FM is turning double-digits this April and you?re all invited to the celebration.

The 10-year old mainstay on Accra?s 91.9 FM radio frequency has been an innovative leader on the air waves over its relatively short lifespan. When Vibe first took to the air waves, on April 4th, 1996, it did so as an aspiring trailblazer. Intent on bringing quality news, entertainment and music programs to local and cross-national listeners, Vibe raised the bar on what media options are available in Ghana.

Certainly one of the secrets to their success is the wide and varied range of programming and their enigmatic on-air personalities. The eclectic nature of the station satisfies a broad range of loyal listeners that spans age, social and economic barriers. Original hit programs, like Talk Shop and Local Vibes, were lauded for their boldness and creativity. Today, such morning shows as Common Sense with Kofi Wayo, Capital Talk with Kuuku Welson Jones and Next Generation with Charles Sam are hugely popular in no small part due to their highly polemic and political discussions. The presenters are contentious, boisterous and highly regarded individuals who relentlessly pursue controversial topics on a range of local and international topics. In essence, all three shows provide an interactive platform for the listeners to voice their concerns to a wide audience and generate feedback and commentary on issues that matter to contemporary Ghanaians.

?Common Sense attracts a lot of listeners because for the first time I?m bringing civilization to the African people,? explains the effervescent Wayo who?s been stirring up controversial issues on the Vibe airwaves for eight years. ?They (Africans) have been in the dark so long; it?s my job to help broaden their minds. Ghanaians need a show that liberates their minds. This dependency syndrome has to end.?

Aside from news and music, Vibe produces more instructional, hands-on programs. Chief among the most popular is Auto Clinic with the Car Doctor, Eddy Quaye.

Certainly a large part of Vibe?s success is due to its high quality content, but the personalities behind the microphones themselves are integral to the continued success and esteemed reputation the station has steadily built. Vibe has become somewhat of a breeding ground and simultaneous launch pad for many well-respected figures in the media realm today.

?We?ve had a lot of internationally recognized journalists get their start here,? admits Mike Cooke, Chief executive and founder of Vibe FM and a former audio-engineer. ?I want to have creative people working here, people who see the world as their oyster, people who want to expand and have the right energy and discipline.?

Key among the past talents to get their start at Vibe is the BBC?s Vera Kwakefie, the producer of Focus on Africa, Channel 4?s Cindy Ananful, Kojo Menshah, the Chief of UNMIL Radio in Liberia, KSM, a king of satire and Ghana?s biggest theatre draw, Akwasi Sarpong, the host of Joy Breakfast Show, Benjamin Kwame Tawiah, Youth Crime Watch of America International Special Advisor for Africa and CJ Bruckman, an international motivational speaker and race relations director for the metropolitan Pokie in the UK.

?I would say to keep an eye on Osei Kwame Sarpong,? points out Cooke regarding Vibe?s weekday Drivetime presenter - a master at presenting all the flavors of soul. ?This guy, I believe, is the single most talented broadcaster in Ghana today. He constantly picks the most cutting edge music and has a great voice. He?s got talent and if he wants it he can be big.?

Off the air, Vibe still works its way into the lives of local Ghanaians. The station has been a lead organizer in many community events, key among them the explosive Street Carnivale in December and the Islamic cultural celebration, Salafest, held in November. Vibe also works alongside specific organizations to help fundraise. The city?s first-ever Radiothon was organized by the station to help support Korlebu Teaching Hospital. Vibe presented a check worth 77, 816, 479.00 cedis at the end of the charity event.

Today, moving into their 10th year, Vibe has a few more plans in the works. Looking towards an increased expansion beyond the airwaves, Vibe wants to become a leading multi-media corporation.

Foremost among the upcoming projects is the highly anticipated The Golden Foot reality show. This five-month documentary, in conjunction with GTV, will begin filming at the end of April and spans all ten regions in search of the top-40 most promising under-17 football stars. The program expects to garner worldwide interest, especially after the Black Star?s recent qualification into the World Cup Final in Germany.

Aside from The Golden Foot, Vibe has initiated plans to begin broadcast in Liberia and to develop an in-flight entertainment service with Ghana International Airlines. Both projects intend to expand its cult following to include an international audience. In this pursuit, the station hopes a more diverse range of listeners will again raise the bar and demand an increased level of news and entertainment services.

If Vibe can maintain the vision it committed to ten years ago- to excel and override age and social barriers- the station will clearly be blazing new ground both in Ghana and internationally. Today, in what has become a burgeoning radio empire in this country, air-wave competition is tough. Through its share of bumps and hurdles, Vibe has proven it can and will continue to persevere. As a media conglomerate, Vibe is forging into higher territory. They are certainly expanding their vision, and simultaneously drawing more eyes and ears into the lives of Ghanaians.

In the meantime, however, hit Labadi Beach on April 9th and join in their festivity. They?ll be lots of good music, dancing, drinks and yes, of course, lots of good vibes?