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.”