For over two decades, Accra-based Citi FM has stood as a beacon of excellence in Ghana’s ever-evolving media landscape. Emerging at a time when media pluralism was gaining momentum in the early 2000s, the station did not merely add to the growing number of frequencies on the dial — it redefined what English-speaking radio could and should be.
Since its establishment, Citi 97.3 FM has carved a niche as a credible, independent, and forward-thinking brand, blending intelligent conversation with vibrant entertainment. Its unique mix of news, talk-shows, and lifestyle programming has earned it the reputation of being Ghana’s most distinguished English-speaking radio station — a voice that resonates not only within the country but across the global diaspora.
At the heart of Citi FM’s influence is its distinct programming, which has mirrored the aspirations, challenges, and triumphs of the Ghanaian people. The Citi Breakfast Show (CBS), arguably, the station’s flagship, sets the tone each morning with hard-hitting analysis, engaging discussions, fearless truth-telling, and a pinch of humour.
Helmed by Bernard Koku Avle and supported by analysts such as Richard Dela Sky, known for his gleeful morning laughs on air, Godfred Akoto Boafo, and Caleb Kudah, the show not only informs but also challenges both citizens and duty-bearers to demand better governance and accountability. It is a breakfast that feeds the mind and stirs the conscience.
Behind the station’s enduring success is its visionary CEO, Samuel Attah-Mensah, affectionately called Sammens — the architect who has steered Citi FM’s growth with precision, passion, and purpose.
Then comes Eyewitness News, the station’s signature evening bulletin at 5:30 p.m., which injects energy, accuracy, and balance into news reporting. Listeners often describe it as “news you can trust,” a platform where the day’s top stories are unpacked with depth, fairness and eye witnesses account.
Beyond its daily schedule, Citi FM has mastered the art of curating experiences that extend conversation beyond the studio. The Effective Living Series, which ushers in every new year, helps listeners reset and refocus their lives with insights from distinguished experts.
The Citi Business Festival has become a fixture on the corporate calendar, tackling themes in finance, agriculture, energy, entrepreneurship and many more. Complementing these are the Heritage Caravan, celebrating Ghana’s cultural richness, and the Citi Business Olympics, a creative blend of networking and sport for the businesses community in Ghana.
Perhaps one of Citi FM’s most profound contributions lies in its human capital development philosophy. The station has deliberately chosen to nurture young graduates instead of relying on established stars. Many of these “Citi-trained” professionals now excel across major media houses, testifying to the station’s role as a training ground for journalistic excellence.
Equally notable is the work of the Citi FM Foundation, the station’s humanitarian arm. From supporting underprivileged individuals and communities to leading relief efforts such as during the Akosombo and Kpong Dam spillages, when it mobilized resources and built shelters for displaced victims, Citi FM continues to exemplify socially responsible media in action.
Indeed, the station lives its tagline: “Relevant Radio, Always.” Through its commitment to making radio meaningful, relatable, and impactful, Citi FM has remained indispensable to its audience. Even amid the inevitable exodus of home-grown talents, the station has thrived constantly discovering new voices and reinventing itself with resilience and purpose.
It embodies the Asante Kotoko spirit of “Wo kum apem a, apem beba,” or, in Accra Hearts of Oak fashion, the mantra “Never say die until the bones are rotten.” Citi lives on — unwavering, undeterred, and unbroken.
The station’s evolution also gave birth to citinewsroom and Citi TV, now rebranded as Channel One TV, expanding its influence from airwaves to screens and online, and offering a complete multimedia experience.
As Citi FM celebrates 21 years of impactful broadcasting, its story is not just about a radio station , it is about a movement that has informed, inspired, and influenced national discourse for over two decades.
And as the frequency of relevance continues to hum across the nation, one thing remains certain: Citi FM’s best years are yet to come.
By Christian Kpesese, an ardent listener & Journalist.
