The death has been announced of veteran sports broadcaster Joachim Awuley Lartey, popularly known as Joe Lartey.
He passed on Friday, April 26 at 96.
Joe Lartey, who was known for his commentary skills on national radio, also served as the first President of the Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG).
The Association, in a statement on the death, said further details and funeral arrangements will be announced “in due course”.
The Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG), sadly announces the passing of our first President Mr. Joe Lartey.
May his soul rest well. pic.twitter.com/T9JoD1bQUp
— SPORTS WRITERS' ASSOCIATION OF GHANA (@SWAG_Ghana) April 27, 2024
Born on June 6, 1927, in Accra, Joe Lartey attended Accra Academy.
Popularly known as ‘Over to You’, Lartey was an iconic broadcaster, whose offspring – George Lartey and Joe Lartey Jr – also took after him.
Lartey began his journey in journalism at the Ghana Broadcasting Cooperation (GBC) in 1961 as a football commentator.
Over the years, he became a beloved figure in the Ghanaian sports community.
He later joined Radio Nigeria for a decade before returning to GBC in 1990. During his tenure, he hosted programs such as Sports Digest on GTV.
In recognition of his contributions to sports journalism, Lartey was honoured with the prestigious “A Life in Sport” award by the International Sports Press Association (AIPS) at the AIPS Sport Media Awards ceremony held in Doha, Qatar, in June 2022.
Lartey’s influence extended far beyond Ghana, as many Ghanaian football commentators credit him for shaping their careers.
His legacy as a pioneer in sports broadcasting will be remembered fondly by fans and colleagues alike.
