Mike Eghan

Last updated

Mike Eghan
Born (1936-03-14) 14 March 1936 (age 88)
Sekondi-Takoradi, Gold Coast (present-day Ghana)
Other namesThe Magnificent Emperor
OccupationBroadcaster
Known forThe Mike Eghan Show
MC of Soul to Soul (1971)
Notable workThe "Emperor's" Story – From the Centre of the World (2019)

Mike Eghan (born 14 March 1936) [1] is a Ghanaian broadcaster, also known as "The Magnificent Emperor". [2] In a career as a disc jockey and radio presenter spanning six decades, Eghan hosted programmes for the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) and for the BBC World Service in London. He was the master of ceremonies for the historic concert in Ghana Soul to Soul , which took place in Black Star Square in 1971 and showcased many prominent African-American artists alongside Ghanaian musicians. [3]

Contents

Eghan's autobiography, The "Emperor's" Story – From the Centre of the World, was published in 2019. [4] In the words of Anis Haffar: "The man's kaleidoscopic knowledge of show business, broadcasting, entertainment and politics is cast in the trenches of personal encounters. He shares history from the strategic standpoint of his own roles in the making of it." [5]

Background

Born in Sekondi-Takoradi, Gold Coast (present-day Ghana), the fifth of nine siblings, Eghan was inspired by his civil servant father Ben Eghan's passion for radio to join the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) in 1961, after giving up a job with Barclays Bank that had been secured for him. [3] [6] [7]

In 1965, he went to Britain, where he worked with the BBC Africa Service, hosting the programme Music with African Beat for four years. [8] for some years. Photographs of Eghan taken during this time feature among the iconic work of veteran Ghanaian photographer James Barnor. [9] [10] Leaving the BBC, Eghan returned home to work with GBC, wanting to contribute to the development of Ghana and raise his children there. [8]

He has said: "One of the highlights of my career as a disc jockey and radio presenter was my role as emcee (master of ceremony) for the historic musical concert dubbed 'Soul to Soul'. The aim of this musical extravaganza was to bring Africans and African-American artistes together to jam on the African continent to retrace their historical roots. It was believed that such an attempt would galvanise Black people all over the world along with the vision that Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah had for the Black Race." [3] High-profile soul, gospel and dance groups participated in Soul to Soul, which took place in Black Star Square (now Independence Square), including Wilson Pickett, Ike and Tina Turner, Les McCann, Eddie Harris, The Staple Singers, Carlos Santana, Roberta Flack, Willie Bobo, the Voices of East Harlem, and others. [3] [11]

Eghan's popular 1970s talk show, The Mike Eghan Show, featured guests including Miriam Makeba, Ephraim Amu and Captain J. H. Tachie-Menson. [12] Eghan subsequently took employment as a Treatment Manager with the Volta River Authority, then had another stint of work in the UK with the BBC. [3] Back in Ghana, he resumed work with GBC, and later ran the Sundown Hotel. [3]

He launched his memoir, The "Emperor’s" Story – From the Centre of the World, at the age of 83 in Accra in August 2019 at the University of Ghana's Institute of African Studies, the occasion presided over by Professor Esi Sutherland-Addy. [13] [14]

Awards and recognition

A documentary film in honour of Eghan, produced by Andrew Gyawu-Mensah, was screened in March 2017. [15]

Eghan's awards include the Grand Medal in acknowledgement of his meritorious service in the media. [4] [12]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">GTV (Ghana)</span> National public broadcaster of Ghana

GTV is the national public broadcaster of Ghana, run by the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation. It commenced operations on July 31, 1965, and was originally known as GBC TV.

<i>Soul to Soul</i> (film) 1971 documentary film by Denis Sanders

Soul to Soul is a 1971 documentary film about the Independence Day concert held in Accra, Ghana, on 6 March 1971. It features an array of mostly American R&B, soul, rock, and jazz musicians.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ghana Broadcasting Corporation</span> Ghanaian public service broadcaster

The Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) was established by law in 1968 with a triple mandate as a State Broadcaster, Public Service Broadcaster, and a Commercial Broadcaster in Ghana. Headquartered in the capital city, Accra, it is funded by grants, broadcasting television commercials and the levying of a television licence, costing 36 cedis and 60 cedis for one or more TV sets in the same house every year. TV set repairers and sales outlets are to pay an annual sum of between 60 cedis to 240 cedis.

Kwaku Addo Sakyi-Addo is a journalist from Ghana, who was the country correspondent for both Reuters and the BBC between 1993 and 2007. He currently hosts a political talk show on Asaase Radio in Accra.

Reggie Rockstone is a Ghanaian rapper. He was born in the United Kingdom but lived his early years in Kumasi and Accra. He has been living in Ghana continuously since he pioneered the Hip-Life movement in 1994. He is married to Dr. Zilla Limann, Daughter of Hilla Limann, the only president of the third Republic of Ghana. They have three kids together and have been married since 2001.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">ETV Ghana</span> Ghanaian TV channel

e.tv Ghana also known as ETV Ghana is a free-to-air terrestrial television network broadcasting 24-hours a day from Accra since its launch in October 2009. As of December 2011 it will also commence terrestrial transmissions in Kumasi. Beyond Accra and Kumasi, it is available via satellite on First Digital TV and SMART TV. It is privately owned TV in Accra.

The Multimedia Group is a media group in Ghana. It was established in 1995 and has six radio stations, six news websites and a satellite television network.

Mensa Otabil, is a Ghanaian theologian, motivational speaker, and entrepreneur. He is the founder of International Central Gospel Church headquartered in Accra, Ghana. He is also the founder and Chancellor of Central University College, and CEO of Otabil and Associates, an executive and Leadership Growth Consultancy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Herbert Mensah</span> Ghanaian businessman

Herbert Amponsah Mensah is a Ghanaian businessman, sports administrator, and the President of World Rugby’s African association, Rugby Africa, the governing body of Rugby in Africa.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gifty Anti</span> Ghanaian journalist and broadcaster (born 1970)

Oheneyere Gifty Anti is a Ghanaian journalist and broadcaster. She is the host of the StandpointArchived 2021-05-26 at the Wayback Machine programme; which discusses issues affecting women on Ghana Television.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Diana Hopeson</span> Musical artist

Diana Hopeson is Ghanaian gospel singer and a former president of the Musicians Union of Ghana. Her contributions to the Ghanaian Art industry won her a National Honors Award, which was presented to her by former president John Agyekum Kufuor in 2007. In March 2021, she was among the Top 30 Most Influential Women in Music by the 3Music Awards Women's Brunch. She was also a GHAMRO board member and also the Chairperson of the Interim Management Board of the Copyright Society of Ghana. In the same year, she was selected by BJ Sam, the Nigerian international singer and producer, to represent the Ghana in the first universal Christmas music project with other global music icons including Hollywood Actor Paul Raci, Bollywood playback singer Jaspinder Narula, and Swiss actress Christina Zurbrügg.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bernard Avle</span> Ghanaian media personality

Bernard Koku Avle also known as Bernardino Koku Avle is a Ghanaian media personality, broadcast journalist, public speaker. He is the current host of Citi FM's morning show TheCiti Breakfast Show and the host of the Point Of View Show on Citi TV. He also moderates and facilitates local and international conferences occasionally.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nathaniel Attoh</span> Ghanaian announcer and journalist

Nathaniel Attoh, alias Citizen Attoh, born is a Ghanaian professional master of ceremonies (mc), international boxing ring announcer, and television and radio journalist. He is known for the radio show " Joy Sports Link" on Joy 99.7 FM Ghana.

Gary Al-Smith is a Ghanaian sports journalist who reports locally and for international media – with a focus on African football. He is also a global shaper and a UNICEF ambassador. He initially worked with Citi FM however moved and is currently with Multimedia Group Limited radio station Joy FM based in Accra in the greater Accra Region of Ghana. He does stories for Guardian, BBC, CNN, the New York Times and SuperSport.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Caroline Sampson</span> Ghanaian media personality

Caroline Sampson is a Ghanaian radio presenter, TV show host, compere, and voiceover artist best known for her TV and radio commercials. She began her career in the media in 2005 when she ended up as a finalist in the third edition of the Ghanaian reality TV pageant Miss Malaika Ghana.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Juliet Bawuah</span> Ghanaian sports journalist

Juliet Bawuah is a Ghanaian sports journalist who has written for top media houses. She has interviewed FIFA President, Gianni Infantino as well as the former World Player of the Year and former Liberia President George Weah. She became well known as a result of her interview with Gianni Infantino, on the sidelines of a FIFA Summit in the North-Western African country, Mauritania. She also founded the Africa Women's Sports Summit, a program that brings together Africa's leading female sports names and aspiring ones.

Anis Haffar is a Ghanaian educationist, teacher, columnist and author. He is the founder of the GATE institute in Ghana, and is a council member of the Ghana Education Service. Also a notable journalist, he writes a weekly column for the Daily Graphic newspaper entitled "Education Matters with Anis Haffar", and the column "Leaders – Human Capital", in Business World (Ghana). Haffar was listed as one of the 100 most influential Africans of 2016 in Education by New African magazine.

Nana Ama Agyemang Asante is a Ghanaian journalist, editor and writer. Beginning in 2012 she worked as deputy online editor of Citi FM's web portal. She also co-hosts the “Citi Breakfast Show” at the Accra-based radio station Citi FM, together with Bernard Avle.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sandister Tei</span> Ghanaian journalist and Wikimedian

Sandister Tei is a Ghanaian media professional who was named the Wikimedian of the Year in October 2020 by Wikipedia co-founder Jimmy Wales. She is the co-founder and an active volunteer of Wikimedia Ghana User Group.

The following is a timeline of the COVID-19 pandemic in Ghana during 2021-2022.

References

  1. "Eghan, Mike, 1936-". Library of Congress.
  2. "The Story Of Mike Eghan, The Magnificent Emperor", Spectator, 14 July 2007. Via Ghana Base.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Kweku Antwi-Otoo, "Mike Eghan Launches The Emperor’s Story", 3news.com, via Modern Ghana, 28 August 2019.
  4. 1 2 "Veteran broadcaster Mike Eghan launches autobiography", My Joy Online, 29 August 2019.
  5. Anis Haffar, "Celebrating Mike Eghan’s unforgettable memoirs", Graphic Online , 19 August 2019.
  6. "Personality Chat with Ace Broadcaster Mike Eghan On Live Chat With Paul", etv Ghana, 2 September 2019.
  7. Maureen Dedei Quaye, "Ace Broadcaster Mike Eghan's Transition from banking to Journalism", e.tv Ghana, 2 September 2019.
  8. 1 2 "'I Quit BBC Because Of My Son'", Ghana MMA, 11 March 2011.
  9. "James Barnor | Mike Eghan at the BBC Studios, London1967, printed 2010", Tate.
  10. Alexandra Genova, "Party time! The photographer who captured the other swinging sixties", The Guardian , 29 November 2019.
  11. Arts Council of Ghana, Soul to Soul, Black Star Square, Accra, Ghana, 6th March, 1971 : with American and Ghanaian soul, gospel and dance groups, featuring Wilson Pickett (and others) : M.C., Mike Eghan, Accra: Moxon Paperbacks, 1971.
  12. 1 2 "Mike Eghan to relaunch talk show on ETV Ghana", Modern Ghana, 11 March 2011.
  13. GNA, "Mike Eghan’s autobiography launched in Accra", Ghana Business News, 8 September 2019.
  14. Joseph Kpormegbey; Desmond Kofi Tawiah (29 August 2019). "Mike Eghan's autobiography launched". Graphic.
  15. "My show is a replica of the Mike Eghan show – KSM", GhanaWeb, 27 March 2017.