Etornam Sey; Juggles between family affairs and business analysis on TV3
In September last year, TV3 introduced changes in its morning magazine show, New Day, in a bid to reach a wider audience across the country.
The four-hour show which runs from Monday to Friday serves the audience with a variety of content comprising news analysis, current affairs, entertainment, sports, law and security while giving the audience the opportunity to contribute to the show through different channels.
The changes in the new season of the show also came with new hosts: Johnnie Hughes, Berla Mundi and Chrystal.
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Earlier this year, a new host, Etornam Sey joined Berla Mundi and Johnnie Hughes and the trio continue to serve viewers with insightful content each weekday.
Although Etorman is not new to the media space, New Day is her first shot at hosting a live morning show.
Etornam is also the host of 3FM’s Saturday morning family programme, Ideal Home
Prior to joining Media General, owners of TV3, she worked as a senior broadcast journalist with the Multimedia group specifically Joynews and Joy FM for five years.
She is also the host of 3FM’s Saturday morning family programme, Ideal Home, and a member of the business team at Media General.
She told The Mirror that although she had produced live news analysis shows and anchored business news, being in front of the camera as a host of a morning show was a new challenge which required adequate preparation and staying abreast of every issue.
“Joining the team was one of my biggest challenges yet. I have always been a business reporter and producer, so I’m very good with figures and business issues. With this new role, I had to move from my comfort zone and be up-to-date with every subject.”
I also knew that to be able to excel at this new role I had to read extensively, follow trends and be in touch with everything that’s happening around,” she said.
Aside from personal preparations, she was grateful to the production team and her co-hosts for being supportive.
“Each of us has our strengths and so we complement each other. For instance, if I have to lead a segment on lifestyle and entertainment, I discuss the topic with Berla for her inputs and if she has to do a business segment she also checks with me for my inputs. Throughout my stay on the show, that’s how it’s been with the three of us.”
Multitasking
On Saturdays, she takes a different seat on 3FM as host of Ideal Home, a family mentorship programme which airs from 5:30 am to 7 am.
The show is a live production that focuses on issues affecting the family spanning from parenting, sex, health and social issues.
Etorman, who hosted the show two years before joining the New Day team, said it wasn’t difficult combing the two shows because she had become used to working on different projects at the same time.
Etornam Sey (left) with Johnnie Hughes, Berla Mundi doing their own thing on television
“Prior to joining New Day, I was the producer of Business Focus on TV3 as well as Business news editor for 3Fm so it all comes down to how you are able to plan your day and work with your team.”
The mother of three, however, admits that combining her current schedule at work and family is not an easy task but she has had to plan so she is able to deliver at work and also take good care of her family with the support of her husband.
Women in the media
Etornam believes in the power of diligence.
She believes that no matter how small your opportunities are, you can bloom.
“As a female working in a competitive industry such as the media, you will need to earn your place and justify why- you should be given certain opportunities. Opportunities are better maximised when one is adequately prepared.”
“Nothing would be handed to you on a silver platter simply because you are a woman or you have a family. You have to prove your worth through the results of your work. No matter how little the task you are assigned is, you have to work diligently towards it.”
Education
Etornamn holds a masters degree in Media Management, Bachelor of Arts Degree in Journalism and Diploma in Communication Studies all from the Ghana Institute of Journalism and an HND from the Ho Polytechnic where she studied Building Technology.
