Joe Lartey: Recounting the memories of an iconic commentator

By
Prosper Kuzo
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On Friday, April 26, 2024, Joachim Awuley Lartey, affectionately known as Joe Lartey, a distinguished African football commentator and Ghanaian journalist, passed away at the age of 96.

The Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG) announced his demise, marking the end of an era in sports journalism.

Born on June 6, 1927, in Accra, during the era of the Gold Coast, Lartey’s life intersected with significant moments in football history long before Ghana gained independence. His journey was characterized by a deep involvement in football and a talent for storytelling.

Lartey received his education at Accra Academy, notably at Wolsley Hall. Later, at the age of 16, he ventured into the military before eventually transitioning to become a prominent figure in the realm of journalism, particularly as a key member of the press covering sports for decades. His contributions to the field of sports journalism have left an indelible mark on Ghanaian and African football history.

Between the years 1960 and 1990, Joe Lartey played an active role in the media landscape, particularly as a prominent member of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) Sports department for 13 years.

During his tenure at GBC, Lartey became renowned for his distinctive commentary style, which included his famous phrase, “Over to you.” This catchphrase became synonymous with Lartey himself, often eclipsing his own name in recognition and association. Lartey’s impactful contributions to sports broadcasting and his iconic phrase have solidified his legacy as one of the most celebrated figures in Ghanaian media history.

He worked there from 1961 to 1973, before switching to the continental level with Federal Radio in Nigeria between 1978 and 1990. He then returned to GBC after 1990 and became the first president of the Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG), which still awards and inspires Sports Journalists and personalities to date.

“With the GBC, initially, I wasn’t going to be with the sports department. My boss was Mr Addai. He was a very good commentator. He had a very good voice. He saw what I could do. So anytime there was a commentary, sports and ceremonial, I shared the commentary with him. He would ask me to start, tell people about the say and he would take over. I’ll say over to you and then when he finished his say he would say over to you Joe and we covered a number of interesting commentaries and that’s how the name came about”, he revealed to Joy Sports.

He also made commentaries on ceremonial duties in Ghana back in the 1960s. Like the arrival of Queen Elizabeth II from Great Britain, and his ability to tell stories in a concise manner, made him remembered as he stood tall amongst many others in his time.

Lartey also spoke to an iconic memory when Real Madrid played a 3-3 draw with the BlackStars in 1962, believing that to be a truly competitive game and a memorable day.

“Yes, I was. I was with my boss Festus Addai. That match took place at the stadium on a Saturday and you should have been there to see”, he said.

Lartey’s career was a blend of excitement and professionalism as he is one of the few people who witnessed Ghana lift its first Africa Cup of Nations trophies.

“All of that was under Ohene Djan. Planning and he was a bit dictatorial. Yet sometimes, dictatorship can achieve things. The players who were featuring, CK Gyamfi. I don’t hear his name anymore but he was a wonderful footballer. Everything was deliberate. Kwame Nkrumah had the virtue of combining sports with unity and the team enjoyed many successes”.

While Ghanaian football may not currently match the greatness it achieved between 1960 and 1990, Joe Lartey, through his storytelling and coverage of the team’s exploits, would have hoped for Ghana to rediscover its footballing prowess.

Though Joe Lartey has passed away, his legacy endures among those he influenced and entertained throughout his life. May his soul rest in eternal peace, as his memory continues to resonate with many.