Nathaniel Attoh: Learning at the feet of a legend – Ode to Joe Lartey
In the course of my journalism career, I have come across many people, and the gallant broadcaster, commentator, teacher Joe Lartey a.k.a. "over to you" formed one of the biggest impressions yet. He had a versatile brand which went beyond sports journalism.
He contributed to the academia and operated with other spaces in the mass communications sector. He is also the first president of the Sports Writer's Association of Ghana (SWAG) which also runs one of Ghana's oldest awards schemes.
Upon his demise, the usual expected choruses of celebration have come, but once again, I would have preferred doing this on a special milestone celebration, probably if he had reached his centenary. I picked up major learnings from this great man in our private conversations anytime I visited him either at his Lartebiokorshie or Gbawe residences.
PROFESSIONALISM AND THOROUGHNESS
Joe Lartey practiced active sports broadcasting during an era when the state broadcaster Ghana Broadcast Corporation was main media establishment for electronic media (television and radio). This meant that there was no other source of media content (electronic).
So, in the instance where there was a big game in the Ghana Premier League, you only got radio commentary from GBC Radio. And yes, from the testimonies, the commentary placed every listener in the virtual venue because the commentaries were great.
One fine afternoon when I visited the legend at his then Lartebiokorshie residence, he took me down the valley of reminisce. He shared many stories from his days as a professional and also added life experiences.
According to the legend, he and his team will travel to the venue for example four days ahead of time to pick thoughts of the fans in town, visit the training grounds, and every other piece of information.
"On the case where there was an injury situation which the coach or technical team wants to hide from the public, we would pock it up.
"Based on this approach, we were able to give our listeners comprehensive descriptions while running commentary," he said. Every angle of the story was covered.
Preparation for Mr Joe Lartey ahead for every such major event was key. The lesson learned from him in this instance was that it always pays to be thorough to produce quality on a consistent basis. With that growth is assured, and the brand keeps solidifying its place in the broader society.
INTERVIEWING A NAKED MOHAMMED ALI
One of the high points of Joe Larteys' career was his interview with global sporting Icon, Mohammed Ali, in May 1964 when the global superstar paid a historic fortnight’s visit to Ghana. Ali is considered the greatest boxing world champions of all time due to his impact in and out of the boxing ring. According to the legendary Joe Lartey, he had to interview the global superstar for the national broadcaster (Ghana Broadcasting Corporation) at the then Ambassador Hotel (now Movenpik).
One of the highlights was that Mohammed Ali granted the interview. "Here was a whole Mohammed Ali sitting across from me without any clothes on eating ice cream and reciting some poetry," Joe Lartey recalled. "Mohammed Ali said he was feeling hot. I ran out of the reels I was using to record because he had a lot to say," Joe Lartey added.
On a regular day, no member of the public would expect a figure of Mohammed Ali's stature to sit naked in his hotel suite to grant an interview to a journalist, but it happened.
Trying to put myself in Mohammed Ali's mind at the time, and I'm thinking he saw Joe Lartey as a brother a friend from the other side of the world and saw no embarrassment in being the plain and human before him. Lessons learned here? We are all humans, after all. Rich, poor, tall short, learned, unfettered we are all humans no matter how high we are up the ladder we are simply human beings.
ACCIDENT FROM THE 70s AND RECURRENT PAIN
The accident and the pain that returned 40 years later. During my last visit to him, he mentioned how grateful he was to God for giving him longevity. Obviously, he wasn't as fit as he was in his prime. Generally, he needed some assistance to move and had the recurring pain from a surgery he underwent in the 70s.
According to him, the doctor's prediction that he was likely to experience some pain later in life had come to pass. The legend had an accident in the 70s, which led to that surgery. We live to fight another day, I guess? This happening unfortunate as it confirms that in life, some situations and scenarios are repeated in our lives and assume chronic dimensions, and we have no choice but to deal with them.
"IS THAT JOE LARTEY? GIVE HIM 4 CRATES OF GUINNESS"
The legend also shared with me a story about an experience in Kumasi many years ago that reinforced his discipline. Joe Lartey and his team had traveled to Kumasi for a big Ghana Premier League game. They were three days early, and the reason was to gather as much information from the camps of the two clubs and the fans.
So after the days work, Joe Lartey and a handful of friends went over to have a few drinks at a bar. No longer had he sat down, did another patron of the bar spot him. "Is that the legendary Joe Lartey?" he asked in a very confident tone.
Immediately, he confirmed this gentleman who could just not hide his admiration for the legendary broadcaster ordered the waiters at the bar to give serve Joe Lartey 4 crates. Yes, 96 bottles of Guinness! And bizzare as it may sound, this generous and appreciative fan also added that it was for starters. In the Garden City of Kumasi, that kind of gesture is not strange. People in Kumasi never hesitate to acknowledge stardom and achievements. The best part is that they show it symbolically and make sure it makes an impression.
The legend, based on this experience, told me that if he had gotten himself used to those gestures, he would have ended up with alcohol addiction. Yes, he loved his beverages, and yes, he was young trendy and loved to have a good time, but he decided to be measured. Moderation in everything we do is key, and the foundation of this is discipline.
BOREDOM IN OLD AGE
As we sat in his living room at his Gbawe residence, the legend told me about his boredom. He asked me to see if we could design a prgramme which he could feature on. The idea was to keep him active and siatract him from the realities of reaching the 'empty nest stage' according to Marslow's Theory of Needs. Of course, he had also come off a period of lecturing at the Accra Film School, whose founder, Rex Anthony Annan, died in an accident.
Accra Film School was the first private film school to be set up in Ghana, after the gallant NAFTI, which is now a part of the University of Media, Arts and Communication (Unimac). Himself and film legend George Williams of blessed memory were pioneering lecturers and directors of the school. However, upon the passing of the founder, things took a down turn for the school. He also honoured periodic engagements with Toast Masters International Ghana of which he was a patron.
Realistically, he didn't have the energy to move back and forth from the campus daily but definitely had a lot of knowledge to transfer to the next generation of fil and television professionals.
REGRETS - THE BOOK THAT WAS NEVER WRITTEN - TIME WAITS FOR NO MAN
My inability to pursue his dream of writing a book on public speaking, leadership, and instructions on protocols for national ceremonial events. He mentioned this to me once while we were having one of our usual hearty conversations over some cold bottles of Guinness. I will not give any excuses. I should have made the time to sit with this great man to get this done. I consider it my wrong, and I regret it. Time and tide the say waits fir no man. We all have to strike while the iron is hot.
CREDIBILITY INTEGRITY AND RELATIONSHIP
Today, the President of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has invited all Ghanaians to the forecourt of State House for the state burial service of the legendary Joe Lartey. This gesture by the President gives a massive attestation to the quality, depth of impact, and strength of the character of Joe Lartey. Yes, the top of mind awareness element of his life in these twilight years was an immediate reference to his accolade "over to you."
But the gallant nature of his story and the worth of his journey go beyond the flowery reference to the accolade. It's relatable and has big philosophical relevance irrespective of how it was formed.
But the key thing here is how Joe Lartey always admonished me and all other young persons to be willing to "die to uphold a good name." He broke his back to grow his integrity and credibility, and he travailed to oil his relationships and generally approached things with a positive mind and a good heart.
Of course, Joe Lartey was human and had his elements. But today, as we bid a national farewell, I wish to keep with me these priceless lessons learned at his feet. He belongs to a generation who laid big foundations after Ghana's Independence in many aspects of our lives as Ghanaians.
Now that that work of that generation is done, what I guess is left is to hear his voice from the heavens whisper to the current generation - "Over to you."
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