3FM's JOHNNIE HUGHES WRAPS UP ‘ELECTION ZONE’ FOR ‘COMMUNITY CONNECT’

At the start of 2016, 3FM 92.7, a young burgeoning kid on the block set out for herself, an ambitious task of providing the very best of election news coverage under the banner of the Election Command Centre. It started with a sharp focus on the election campaign, assessment of Presidential and Parliamentary candidates and what they bring to the political party table, especially Parliament; the impact of the political season on Ghana’s economic fortunes and how citizens were to contribute to the political dynamics of Ghana.

It was a tough call. One that required a sharp brain, quick wits and a decisive voice and, Johnnie Hughes was the obvious choice, because he had it all. Together with the versatile Alfred Ocansey they combined their skills, style and temerity to bring you the best of election reporting, which you found irresistible! 

Johnnie Hughes accepted the task and hit the ground running, given his previous experiences of elections coverage. Along with this new challenge, he remained in the saddle for ‘Community Connect’, your favourite community relations and advocacy programme, which has gained grounds and won the hearts of many.                 The smartest thing was to table the issues he found in communities on the table of politicians seeking the mandate of the people and that’s just what he and his team did on ‘Election Zone’!

Election Zone, the no-holds barred elections analysis show reached out to the various communities across the country, the political parties and their representatives. It was inquisitorial; asking all the biting and relevant questions and getting all the answers. The apogee of the programme was the Constituency Debates. It was a key part of the election season, which provided candidates and voters alike with a platform to access and assess each other for the task of representation. 'Constituency Debates' could not reach all the 275 Constituencies for obvious reasons; but they had their own remarkable forays into Klottey Klotey, Odododiodio, Ablekuma North, Ayawaso West Wuogon, Prampram Constituency, etc. And, it was a delight to watch Johnnie and Alfred moderate the debates which included engaging contestants, live audiences and key political party executives.

Then came the experiences with the Electoral Commission, the back and forth run court cases with Abu Ramadan and some Presidential candidates of some political parties at the forefront. The in-studio discussions were a exciting to listen to, as they were sharp, crisp and highly interactive with leading personalities.                                    

According to enthusiastic broadcaster, Johnnie Hughes “it was a learning curve, full of great fun, being part of a major national duty which called for providing clarity and direction for Ghana’s political development and bringing democracy to the door step of the people." 

The icing on the cake for the Show and 3FM was when GEOPOLL chose the 2016 General Elections hashtag #ElectionCommandCentre of the Media General group as THE TOP election news source on twitter.                                         

Kudos to the upbeat production team that took the task to a whole different level. The likes of Gideon Sackitey, Nii Amarh Amarteifio, Gideon Anaba, Sedem Ofori and many others. The production team was heavy and meticulous in providing superior historic insights, unrivalled line-up of experts and a candid outlook of the facts. 

The 'Election Zone' show came to a close few hours before the dissolution of the 6th Parliament of Ghana on January 6, by taking a retrospective look at how things developed over the one year period and how the new government will respond to the needs of the people per their expectations. 

Community Connect, which returns to your dial this Friday has since received a facelift to give it a new outlook in 2017. This follows an impressive show in 2016. The show is live on 3fm 92.7 with Johnnie Hughes on Fridays, beginning on January 13, at 5:00 pm. You are invited to be part of a result-oriented thriving success story built on the idea of getting into communities and making their voices heard. Channel your community concerns through ‘Community Connect’ and see them solved. Join Johnnie Hughes to make Ghana a solid, prosperous nation where public office holders are up and about the needs of the very people they are to be accountable to.