Appreciation of Life: Joe Eyison “The Station Master” 

Joe Eyison popularly called: “Station Master” was a veteran musician and actor who identified mostly with the OBRA drama group of the 1980s. 

At the age of 41 Joe Eyison has been involved in the music business for some 15 years.

After Joe’s primary education at Cape Coast and Takoradi Methodist Schools he took up odd jobs here and there.

One time a chorister and at another time graduating to become part time music instructor.

In 1956 Joe the young man of music decided to take up music seriously and as his career.

He earned himself an enviable reputation as one of the leading highlife composers in Ghana with several hit-songs to his credit.

Many best selling records released by the widely acclaimed king of highlife E. T. Mensah and his Tempos Band, The Ramblers and E. K. Nyame’s Bands, C. K. Mann and his Carousel 7 have come from the fruitful and rich pen of the great composer Joe Eyison.

Joe wrote songs that have instant appeal to both musicians and the ordinary music enthusiast. 

Joe Eyison turned to acting in the early 80s (he was a good story writer as witnessed in his music compositions.)

He is known for featuring in iconic movies like: Heritage Africa (1989) and Nana Akoto (1985). 

Joe Eyison became very popular after being cast in a lead role in the TV Drama production called KETEKE on GBC-TV in the 1980s as the “Station Master” who was in charge of the “Keteke (Train) Station”.

KETEKE later transformed into OBRA Drama Group.

In the early 90s the “Station Master” Joe Eyison featured in an episode of INSPECTOR BEDIAKO where he was a serial killer at night but acted innocently at daytime. 

Sadly he couldn’t live his full life when he died suddenly in 2002. 

A few hours after the burial of another veteran actor, S.K. Oppong ( who just collapsed in his bedroom and died)

The cause of his death was not confirmed.

But the then President of the Musicians Union of Ghana, Sidiku Buari suspected some foul play.

He told JOY FM that a day before his death Mr. Eyison reported that he had been threatened by a group of people who claimed to own the Ghanaian music industry. 

The alleged threat followed an interview with TV3, in which Mr. Eyison declared support for Alhaji Sidiku Buari, who was under intense pressure to step down as President of MUSIGA. 

Alhaji Sidiku Buari suspected Mr. Eyison was beaten up by those people who later dropped him off at his home.

Sadly no police report ever came out to confirm or deny this. And nothing was ever heard from the matter ever again.

Joe Eyison died in his late 60s.

Some of his contemporaries are: David Dontoh, Bosomprah, S. K. Oppong, Amankwah Ampofo, Evans Omar Hunter, Kofi Bucknor, Kofi Yirekyi, George B. Williams, Abbey Okine, Solomon Sampah, Prof. Martin Owusu, Alexander Duah, Grâce Nortey among others. 

May He Rest in Peace.