Israel Laryea

Business News Editor, Joy FM, Accra, Ghana. Age: 36

Israel Laryea firmly believes that the challenges that don’t defeat you only make you stronger. Throughout his 11-year career as one of Ghana’s most notable journalists, Laryea has faced numerous complex situations, such as being the youngest moderator during the 2008 Ghanaian presidential elections and reporting the breaking news of Ghana’s stadium disaster in May 2001. “I have taken on some big challenges which have paid off very well for me. These platforms have given me the opportunity to be able to distinguish myself,” says Laryea.

Laryea received a bachelor’s degree from Greenhill College of the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration. He had already begun a career in journalism, however, because of his keen interests in English and broadcasting. Before earning his current position as the Business News Editor at Joy FM, Laryea was an accountant at Magvlyn Industries and a production assistant and then news anchor for Ghana’s TV3, which shares the spotlight with Joy FM as Ghana’s most reputable media houses. He was named Best African Radio Journalist at the CNN/Multichoice African Journalist Awards in 2008 for his feature on a victim of child molestation in a suburb of Accra. He led the child’s rescue even before the story aired.

Laryea asserts that he would enjoy a career as a pilot if he weren’t working as a journalist. That would allow him to combine his two greatest interests — travel and gadgetry. Within the next five years, he would like to become an anchor at an international network, a position from which he could use his influence to be a positive force in the wider news world. “Each day I have drifted slightly from reporting and used my influence in society to intervene in a situation to restore calm. I am proud when I can save the day or the country by simply being a peacemaker.”

Fun Facts
Nickname: Izzy
Favorite food: Groundnut or peanut butter soup with boiled rice and fried plantain
Movie theater or home theater: Movie theater
What actor should play you in a movie: Denzel Washington
Facebook or LinkedIn: Facebook
Favorite sports team: Accra Hearts of Oak
What artist/group would you go on tour with: Enya
Last movie: Salt
List the languages you speak: English, TWI, GA and a bit of Ewe