When you think of Citi FM, Ghana’s award-winning English radio station, it’s easy to see the success—the polished broadcasts, the confident voices, and the shows that dominate the airwaves. But behind that excellence lies a story of resilience, tough choices, and unwavering belief.
In a heartfelt recount, Bernard Koku Avle, General Manager of Citi FM and Channel One TV, reflects on one of the station’s most challenging seasons: 2011, a year he says tested the team’s strength and resolve.
“When you enter a market that’s already decided what it wants, sometimes you can be seen as a nuisance. The market wasn’t very welcoming. It was a difficult moment. In 2011, we lost about half of our newsroom staff to a new station offering nearly three times what Citi was paying—some even got cars. It wasn’t gradual; it happened all at once,” he recalled on The Upside Down Show on Sunday, November 9.
Bernard, one of Citi FM’s founding voices since the early 2000s, has become a household name admired for his thoughtful interviews, calm delivery, and strong advocacy for ethical journalism. His reflections serve as a powerful reminder that Citi’s story wasn’t built overnight but through years of persistence, purpose, and faith.
And that persistence continues to pay off. Just on Saturday, November 8, at the 29th GJA/KGL Media Awards, Citi FM was once again crowned Best English Radio Station in Ghana—a fitting testament to two decades of excellence built on grit, teamwork, and vision.
For Bernard, Citi FM’s story isn’t just about radio—it’s about resilience, believing in people, and standing firm when the odds seem stacked against you.
Below is the full video of the Hard and easy times