On Cue with Kafui DEY: You don’t need Gh¢50,000 to start

…The beginner’s podcast equipment guide

One of the biggest myths in media is that you need expensive equipment to start. I have seen young people delay their dreams for years because they believed they could not begin until they bought professional cameras, studio microphones, and soundproof rooms.

Let me free you from that myth today: you do not need Gh¢50,000 to start. Some of the most successful podcasts and YouTube channels in Ghana began with a smartphone and a quiet room.

What you need is not expensive gear. You need good enough gear and a commitment to quality.

Let me walk you through a practical equipment guide for beginners in Ghana.

Start with your smartphone
Your smartphone is a powerful tool. Modern phones capture high-quality video and audio. For a beginner, this is all you need to start recording.

If you are recording video, place your phone on a stable surface or use a cheap tripod. You can find phone tripods in Accra for less than Gh¢200. Make sure you are in a well-lit space. Natural light from a window is free and beautiful.

Upgrade your audio
Audio quality matters more than video quality. People will tolerate slightly imperfect video, but bad audio will make them click away.

Start with a lapel microphone. These small microphones clip to your collar and plug into your phone. You can find decent lapel mics at Circle or online for Gh¢200 to Gh¢400. They are a massive upgrade from your phone’s built-in microphone.

If you are starting a podcast, consider a USB microphone. Brands like Fifine and BM-800 are affordable and widely available in Ghana. Plug them into your computer, and you have a professional-sounding setup.

Find a quiet space
Your recording environment matters as much as your equipment. A room with hard walls, tiled floors, and windows will create echo. This makes your audio sound hollow and amateur.

If you cannot access a treated studio, get creative. Record in a room with carpet, curtains, and soft furniture. These materials absorb sound and reduce echo. Even recording in a closet full of clothes can work in a pinch.

Lighting for video
For video content, lighting makes the difference between amateur and professional. You do not need expensive studio lights.

Start with natural light. Sit facing a window. The light should fall on your face, not behind you. If you record at night or in a dark room, buy two simple bulbs with white light from any electrical shop. Position them in front of you at 45-degree angles.

Avoid yellow bulbs. They make your footage look dated. White light mimics daylight and looks cleaner.

Editing software
You do not need expensive editing software. For audio, Audacity is free and powerful. For video, CapCut is free and surprisingly capable. Both are available on computers and phones.

Spend time learning these tools. Simple edits such as cutting mistakes, adding intro music, balancing audio levels will dramatically improve your final product.

The upgrade path
Start with what you have. Create consistently. As your audience grows, reinvest in better equipment. Buy a better microphone, then better lighting, then a better camera. Upgrade step by step.

I have seen too many people buy expensive equipment, record one episode, and then stop. Start simple. Prove your consistency. Then invest.

The microphone does not make the presenter. The presenter makes the microphone matter. Start where you are, use what you have, and grow from there.

Kafui Dey is a broadcast media coach, podcaster and radio host with decades of experience in Ghanaian media. This article is adapted from his book “So You Want to Be On Air? A Beginner’s Guide for Ghanaian TV Presenters and Podcasters.”

Phone/WhatsApp +233240299122

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