Ghana's finest veteran broadcaster, Cyril Acolatse goes home

Family and friends of Ghana’s Veteran Journalist Cyril Acolatse will today hold a vigil at his residence in Tema to kick start the funeral celebration of a life well-lived across all front!

The broadcasting icon who became a powerful household name in the late 80s, through the 90s until he passed away was held in high esteem.

Tonight when mourners gather it will be a time to reflect and take stock of both the public and private life accomplishments of Mr Acolatse whose life positively affected many in-service journalists both in Ghana and Abroad.

Cyril Harry Akwasi Acolatse known in corporate life as Cyril Acolatse was a Ghanaian award-winning broadcaster, journalism trainer and media consultant.

With his almost four (4) decades in active service at the state broadcasting corporation, the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation, GBC, Mr Akolatse distinguished himself as an excellent interviewer and host of several programmes on television in the 80’s and 90’s to the admiration of many. He was also a writer and moderator.

The early working years of Mr Akolatse started at the GBC on the 29th of October, 1965 as a reporter at the external service of the Corporation, otherwise known as Radio Ghana whose pivotal mandate was the promotion of the liberation struggle in Africa and elsewhere.

Following the overthrow of the Dr. Kwame Nkrumah’s government in 1966, the external service lost its revolutionary verve and consequently, Mr. Acolatse who was on duty night of the Coup D’etat became part of the national radio newsroom department as an Assistant Editor in 1967. His diligent application of professional values to assignments propelled him through the ranks.

He moderated several national programmes

He also had the privilege by dint of hard work to interview distinguished personalities like

FORMER UN SECRETARY-GENERAL - MR. BOUTROS BOUTROS GHALI

FORMER UN SECRETARY-GENERAL - MR. KOFI ANNAN

FORMER SOUTH AFRICAN PRESIDENT – MR. NELSON MANDELA

FORMER ZIMBABWEAN PRESIDENT – MR ROBERT MUGABE

PRESIDENT OF GHANA (AS NPP FLAGBEARER, 2008) – NANA AKUFO-ADDO

FORMER PRESIDENT OF GHANA – DR. HILLA LIMANN

AS NPP FLAGBEARER (FORMER PRESIDENT OF GHANA) – MR. J. A. KUFFOUR

FORMER SPEAKER OF PARLIAMENT (GHANA) – MR. PETER ALA ADJETEY and many others.

Mr. Acolatse served as the Western Region Secretary of the GJA from 1978 to 1980 and also served on various committees at the National Media Commission and won many awards.

As a retired broadcaster, the GJA in 2019 honoured him posthumously at its 70th-anniversary edition of the Awards ceremony for being a pioneer in the fight for Press Freedom in Ghana.

Cyril was baptised an Anglican but later converted to become a Roman Catholic.

He is a father to Ace broadcasters Mary-Ann Eyram Acolatse Basham and Selikem Acolatse-Apaloo.

Mr Acolatse’s hobbies included writing and reading poems, listening to classical and traditional music, watching sports and the performing arts, drawing, painting and reading of religious literature.

He passed on October 28, 2019, at the Tema General Hospital. Burial Service will be held at Christ the King Catholic Church Opposite the Jubilee House and later buried Privately at his hometown. Keta.