MENTION the name, Nathaniel Kwabena Anokye Adisi, and people may wonder whom you are referring. But add "a.k.a Bola Ray" and their guess work will be brought to an end because the name Bola Ray has come to stay in the hearts and minds of many Ghanaians.."

Asked where the name Bola Ray came from, he reveals that "it’s actually an acronym for certain qualities that I stand for." Some of which are Brilliant, Outstanding, Loving, Affable, Religious and Youthful". It is a name he adopted during his secondary school days at Accra Academy, but it has stuck; that indeed stuck so fast that his real name doesn’t exist to the public.

Bola Ray would like to be referred to as a media personality because he cuts across as an entertainer and a TV and Radio host. In some ways he has dabbled in journalism.

Wondering how it all started for him? Well, in one way or the other he knew he would always be in the entertainment industry because way back at Accra Academy he recollects how he use to go round dormitories to seek the opinions of fellow students on current affairs using his spoon as a microphone.

It was no surprise, therefore, when he was voted as the Entertainment Prefect, a sort of "vox-pop" in his final year.

After Accra Academy, he did his National Service at Radio Universe and then moved on to the School of Administration, University of Ghana, Legon (now the University of Ghana Business School).

Whiles in his second year at the university he also enrolled at the Central University College where he studied Business Administration. He actually holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from the Central University. So, yes, he has two certificates from the University of Ghana and Central University. He is due to pursue a Master’s Degree at the University of Leicester in the United Kingdom which begins next month.

This is one man determined to change the entertainment industry in Ghana. Gone are the days when people thought it was for riff-raffs, drop-outs from school and people who did not have any aim in life.

He wants to set the pace, appreciating the fact that the wealth of every country is its youth. Therefore, he hopes very soon to start a mentoring programme where he’ll go to various secondary schools and talk to them about drawing up their aim in life and making sure they see it through.

Bola Ray understands the perception some Ghanaians have that one does not need that much of an education to be a TV or Radio host. It is these perceptions that he gradually hopes to erase. He says personally, autobiographies like that of Bill Clinton have inspired him a lot because it shows you how to overcome challenges and succeed in life.

Currently Bola Ray hosts two very popular shows both on TV and Radio, these are TV3’s MUSIC MUSIC and Joy FM’s Drive Time.

However, besides hosting these programmes he is also an entertainment consultant and a business development manager. He actually owns Empire Entertainment, which is a promotions, events, advertising and marketing company. He was the first African to have hosted Top of the Pops on BBC Radio.

With all these achievements under his belt one is tempted to think everything has been smooth sailing, that is not the case.

He recounts his days at Radio Universe where he was hosting a very popular request programme and doing other music programmes but eventually left for Top Radio supposedly to host their drive programme only to be pushed down to a programme that ran from 12 midnight to 4 a.m. This was whiles he was still a student at the University of Ghana .

At a point, he asked himself if it was worth it, but he convinced himself that these were temporary set backs and that with time things would improve. Eventually, they did, and he moved up, soon he was hosting the Top City Jams which was hugely popular then.

How did he make it to the tough Joy FM team? In the year 2000 he walked into Joy FM wanting to work with the station, but some of the people there "made mockery of him."

However, three years down the line when Joy FM came chasing him he proved to Joy FM that no matter where you are, if you work well you’ll be recognised. Even coming to Joy FM wasn’t an easy task because people said "he couldn’t stand the heat and will quit in two or three months". Four years on and he is still driving the programme.

He describes himself as a brilliant young man, who is outstanding, outgoing with a loveable personality. He owes his success first and foremost to God. Aside that, he believes that hard work and being focused has brought him where he is today.

Bola Ray says the industry has been good to him. He treats his fans with all the praise and love they deserve. His fans, most of whom have become his close friends have truly appreciated him in the sense that he gets invitations to spend holidays both in and out of the country, courtesy his fans.

Dorcas is the beautiful wife of Bola. Together they have a great son, Pharrel Kwabena Anokye Adisi. His calm and reserved wife is a professional banker. Bola has a word for her understanding and support.

Indeed, what gives him his greatest satisfaction is seeing his wife, son and family happy.

Growing up, some people who have inspired him include Prof Kwesi Yankah, Pro-Vice-Chancellor, University of Ghana, Legon who nurtured him from scratch both in Radio and in life. Alhaji Siddique of Radio Universe has also taught him a lot. He looks up also to Mr Mike Eghan of Provident Insurance, this man was a broadcaster and is now an entrepreneur, he has a lot of respect for him because he sees himself in him. Also, to Kwesi Kyei Darkwa (KKD), his immediate boss at Joy FM Cox Tamakloe and to Komla Dumor.

In the immediate future he would still love to be at Joy FM at least part time if not full time. He also wants to be an Entertainment mogul, that is build Empire Records, Empire Modelling Agency, Empire Tours which will all be under the mother company Empire Entertainment. Who knows! May be you might just be flying on his airline in the next few years.

Bola Ray fellowship with the International Central Gospel Church, he adds that his fans call him constantly, sometimes during odd hours but his wife understands because of his kind of profession and refers to it as "occupational harzards