ONLY his close friends and a few people in the media know Akwasi Kuranchie Nkyi’s contribution to the media space as a producer, director, content development strategist, set designer and manager.
For over two decades, Mr Nkyi, who is currently the Managing Director of Atinka Media Village, has worked with media houses and production companies such as Charterhouse where he was the Assistant Set Designer, the General Manager of Kantanka Media Limited, the Assistant Manager at Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC), the Content Development Strategist at Quad Concept and the General Manager at Champion Broadcasting Limited, among others.
During his time at Charterhouse, he executed design onto a constructed set for television events and programmes such as Miss Malaika, Agroo, Stars of the Future, It Takes 2, Night of Laughs, Ghana Music Awards, Coca-Cola Drink and Win, etc.
At GBC where he spent most of his career years from 2002 to 2022, he directed state events including Presidential Encounters, SONA, Dissolution of the 7th Parliament, Swearing in of the 8th Parliament and the swearing in of the President.
Also at GBC, Mr Nkyi produced TV shows which were hosted by seasoned journalists, including Gifty Anti, Henry Asante Twum, Francisca Ashitey-Odunton, Nii Odartey Lamptey, Kwame Waja Esq., Ebenezer Ampaabeng and Amankwa Ampofo, among others. In addition, he held several positions at GBC before exiting the place.
In an interview with Daily Graphic, Mr Nkyi said he loved to work behind the scenes and preferred his works speak for him. “I am not the type who wants to come on television or radio even though I have the opportunity to do so.
“I have over 20,000 productions and programmes to my credit which have won several local and international awards. When I get the applause for a work well done, I feel my impact has been felt,” he told Daily Graphic.
Challenges
Mr Nkyi, who is also a lecturer at Ghana Christian University College and Africa Institute of Management Science, sees every challenge as a learning process but one thing that gets to him is when after he has done a very good job, people criticise him unconstructively. “During my days at GBC, some people made me feel bad as if I was not important but all the same, it taught me a great lesson that not everyone would like you,” he stated.
Successes
In addition to the 20,000 productions he has to his credit, which have won several awards in Ghana and abroad, the man of few words has successfully introduced Atinka Kids Dance, Easter Fest, Banku Party, Mother’s Day to celebrate Market Women since he joined Atinka Media Village some six months ago. He has also mentored young men who want to follow in his footsteps.
Poaching
Poaching is not new in the media environment but Mr Nkyi believes a media person must give it a good thought before making the decision to accept a new offer.
“In life sometimes, you need to take risks in order to succeed. When you stay in one place for a very long time, complacency sets in and if you are not careful, you’ll be stagnant.
“I believe in taking risks and overcoming challenges that appear impossible. A man must not fear to take risks; if he doesn’t succeed, he must try again. If you have doubts about your abilities, it is better you don’t try at all.
“When you decide to leave your current place, just make sure you are at peace with them because you might not know when you would need them. Moreso, when you feel your work at your current place is fulfilled and you are no longer needed because you have achieved whatever you set out to do, just move on,” he said.
Competition among other media houses
According to the graduate of Accra Business School with a certificate in Executive Business Administration, competitions were key in the media space because it challenged one to sit up.
“Every media house has its own audience but when one identifies that a particular programme at a TV or radio station is a challenge to you then you find a way of improving upon yours to get more viewers.
“For instance, we have Atinka TV, Atinka 104.7 FM, in the capital, Ahotor 102.3 FM in Takoradi, Western Region, Agyenkwa 101.9 FM in the Garden City, Greater Kumasi and Atinkaonline.com, which serve different purposes.
“So if we identify any TV or radio station with a programme that is getting the numbers then we sit up and come up with a strategy to beat them to it,” he said.
The graduate of India Institute of Business Management with a Master’s Degree in Business Administration—Journalism and Media Management, lives a simple life because he believes there is no need to be rude to anyone or make someone feel less important because of a position one occupies.
The man who prefers to keep his family out of the public says he is grateful to all his former and current bosses, colleagues and subordinates for their significant roles in his life.
“I really appreciate whatever impact they have made in my career and it is my prayer that a lot more people benefit from them. My biggest appreciation, however, goes to my mum, Madam Josephine Sau of Abundant Grace Methodist Church, may God Almighty guide, bless and protect her,” he stated.
Ghana| Atinkonline.com