It’s still early days but podcasting is becoming more and more popular in Africa.
In Ghana, there are more and more podcast shows coming up but there’s one podcast that has been consistent since 2018.
Sincerely Accra is a podcast show which is part of the Gold Coast Report podcast network. The show is hosted by Joseph Nti and it has become a popular hit amongst many young people in Ghana. Recently the show was a recipient of Spotify’s Africa Podcast Fund initiative of $100,000.
We decided to catch up with the host and its producer about their popular show:
Tech Nova: When did Sincerely Accra officially start?
The teaser for the show went out on May 2018 but we had been working on the show since 2017. Initially, we were trying for a more investigative angle where each season would have an overarching topic with different episodes tackling different aspects of the main topic. But after we recorded a few interviews, we realized Ghanaians generally don’t like to share their honest opinions on “sensitive topics” especially when they can be recognized for those opinions.
“We were pretty excited when we recorded our first Live Presenter Mention (LPM) on the show. It was a signal that finally, Ghanaian companies were beginning to understand podcasting and what we were bringing into that space.”
So we had to rework the whole show and that took some time. We targeted people out having a good time, threw in anonymity and we struck GOLD – our first episode!
TN: What was the motivation to start the podcast?
Content made us do it! We have both worked on several creative projects together and had always been bouncing ideas off each other. The idea first came to me after Gold Coast Report (GCR) had invited me (Joseph) to be a guest on Free Your Mind; a show on the network. This was one of those ideas Kwame and I immediately loved and wanted to do together. We both also share similar interests with our music tastes, pop culture, and humor so it was bound to be another banger from us!
TN: What were the early challenges when you started?
Definitely getting people to talk to us. Even though it was anonymous, nobody knew where it was going and the idea of podcasts was not common. People would complain about their voices being recognized and now that’s become a flex for some. We had a few challenges with equipment, recording space, and delivery style but when Kwame is on production, magic happens!
TN: What would you consider the first big break for the podcast? (Apart from the Spotify deal)
We were pretty excited when we recorded our first Live Presenter Mention (LPM) on the show. It was a signal that finally, Ghanaian companies were beginning to understand podcasting and what we were bringing into that space. Also, being invited to events in the Accra pop culture space in our capacity as Sincerely Accra was a welcome joy.
TN: How did the Spotify initiative happen?
Spotify named us as the number 1 podcast in Ghana, numbers and all. Which meant we have been on their radar for a while. So we guess it only makes sense if on their first run with the Spotify Africa podcast fund, Sincerely Accra is named as a recipient. We didn’t apply for it. Spotify sent a mail.
TN: What’s next for the podcast?
Expanding our reach, more stimulating conversations and an overall good time for every single SINCERITY. It’s truly a blessing to be able to do this show at the level it currently is and we are super excited to be able to turn it up a notch and give the culture what it deserves!
Thank you Spotify Africa, thank you GCR, and THANK YOU SINCERITIES
The “Sincerely Accra” show can be found on all podcast streaming platforms including Spotify
