The Rise of a Professional Corporate & Social MC in GH!

It all started at the University of Ghana, Legon in 2008 when I accepted an offer to moderate a seminar. It was organised by a group of students who were into online media work, Campus Focus Network (CFN). It didn't come with much difficulty accepting the offer because I was a member of the group and it was basically an all-students affair.

The seminar came off successfully and I felt real overwhelmed that I could do it. 

Just two week after the seminar, the president of the group called and told me about a bigger seminar organised by the University of Ghana Disaster Management Organisation, a subsidiary of National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO). Apparently, the president of this disaster management group who is a friend of the CFN president had attended our seminar and enjoyed my moderation of it. So the whole point was that, he needed me to host theirs. 

But the hardest part was, unlike the first one, I didn't know the members of this group and also the event was to take place just the following day, OMG! 

My president convinced me to take up the challenge. The first five minutes of the event was really the most difficult as I tried to stop the involuntary body and hand shaking. The Greater Accra Regional NADMO Coordinator, some top fire officers and police officers were present. The trick that I used to overcome the fear and moved forward is certainly a matter of discussion later.  Finally, the event came to an end. 

Following this, I did quite a lot more MC work. Many seminars and a few dinner events. 

One that is worth more reminiscing is the 'Effective Communication and Branding Seminar' organised by my group which had over 200 students and invited guests. Hosting the ace broadcaster and basket enthusiast, Yaw Sakyi Afari, one of Ghana's music moguls, Daddy Ahuma Bosco and a lot more popular figures really was a dream come true for me. A handshake of congratulation from Yaw Sakyi at the end if the event made my day and I felt the urge to continue.

Unfortunately, my work came to an end when I completed the university in 2009. I didn't do any till I was invited by my auntie to MC my cousin's wedding reception in January, 2011. Again, this information came just a day before the d-day. Obviously, this was my first time having to MC a wedding reception. I did a lot of reading that night about issues I felt sharing will help me be on top of the job. I researched among other things the history of cake cutting and why there is a special finger on the left hand for the ring. 

Sharing this researched information with command made me feel good about the whole event. Someone came to whisper to me to share some jokes but I felt that I was not prepared for that. My fear was that my joke may fall flat and rather bring embarrassment. Fortunately, in the middle of the programme, a cousin of mine came forward, sought permission from me, I introduced him, took the microphone and shared some jokes. It was all fun I must say. The reception ended well.

Later in the year, as a teacher, I was the MC for our school's graduation ceremony. Being the chairman of the planning committee armed me enough to know the ins and outs of the whole event. I was instrumental in drawing up the programme lineup.

The MC job for the school's graduation continued the following year. In 2013, however, I felt the need to co-MC the graduation ceremony with a colleague teacher. The whole idea was to ensure that I do not become the 'Mugabe' MC in the school.

In between times, I have had the opportunity of MC'ing more wedding receptions and corporate events. The microphone has been my friend for many years. 

With over 50 corporate and social events that I have hosted or MC'ed, I have the joy of bringing my expertise to bear on any programme that I am invited to host.

My unique experience is that, the MC, an abbreviation of Master of Ceremonies is the one in-charge of the whole event and for that matter, I do not only work for the event organiser (the boss or pay master) but works closely with all who matter in ensuring that the audience have the best of treatment. In view of this, I forge instant cordial relationship with the DJ, speakers, caterers and ushers among others to ensure that their roles are also played well culminating into the general success of the event.

More on my unique experience soon...

Joseph Appah (Sir Joe) is a Professional Corporate & Social MC