Famous football commentator Joe Lartey has died at the age of 96. Known for his signature transitioning statement “Over to you,” Joe Lartey began his journey in the early 1960s.
After many years in Ghana with the nation’s national broadcaster, GBC, Joe Lartey joined Radio Nigeria and spent a decade there before returning to the Ghanaian media space. Upon his return, he rejoined GBC and hosted Sports Digest on the national television station.
Joe Lartey joined the British Navy in 1945 during the Second World War but after a year when the war was over, his group was discharged and he returned to Ghana. He accepted a job at the Accra Town Council as a Clerk before later. He later trained as a professional teacher and worked as a teacher until 1961 when he joined the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation.
Joe Lartey was initially placed at the Talks and Feature Department before he was transferred to the Sports Department after two years. He was only sent there on relieving duties but following his spectacular performance, the head of the Sports Department, Festus Addae refused to let him go.
Together with Addae, they handled Sports Commentary and during exchanges, Addae used the term “Over to you, Joe Lartey.” That was how Joe Lartey became known as Over To You.
After joining political activism that opposed UNIGOV under Gen. Ignatius Kutu Acheampong, the leadership of the group People’s Movement for Freedom and Justice (PMFJ) was targeted. This forced Joe Lartey to flee to Nigeria. While in Nigeria, he worked with the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), known popularly as Radio Nigeria.
He returned to Ghana in 1990 and rejoined GBC where he hosted Sports Digest and Hall of Fame. He later became the first President of the Sports Writers Association (SWAG).
Joe Lartey received several honours including the 2022 “A Life in Sports” award from the International Sports Press Association (AIPS) and the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2022 Exclusive Men of the Year Africa Awards.
The veteran sports broadcaster died on April 26, 2024, aged 96.