KABA
Radio presenter Kwadwo Asare-Baffuor Acheampong popularly known as KABA, has died after a short illness.
The host of Asempa Fm’s political talk-show programme – Ekosii Sen – died last Saturday morning at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra.
Details of his death remain unclear but multiple sources claimed he was rushed to the hospital after his sugar level had shot up.
The sensational broadcast journalist made a name for himself as host of Adom TV’s morning show programme, Badwam, before taking over Ekosii Sen on Asempa FM – an entity of the Multimedia Group – after the exit of notorious Bobie Ansah.
Kwadwo Asare Baffuor Acheampong joined the Multimedia Group in August 2009 as a broadcast journalist from Top Radio.
He began his carrier as host of daily news bulletin Asempa Today and also hosted weekly current affairs programme, ‘Kukurantumi,’ Saturday mornings on Asempa FM. He was once a court reporter.
He rose through the ranks to become one of the most-sought-after political and current affairs talk-show hosts in the country.
KABA was adjudged the Best Talk-Show Host in the 2017 edition of the Radio and Television Personality (RTP) Awards.
His death, according to those who knew him personally, has left a huge vacuum in the Multimedia Group.
KABA left behind a wife, Accra-based Class FM’s Valentina Ofori Afriyie – who he married in the middle of last year – and a daughter.
President Shocked
KABA’s sudden death did not only send chills down the spines of only his fans and listeners, but also sent a shockwave through the entire media fraternity in the country.
High-ranking politicians and well-meaning Ghanaians have since the sad news sent their condolences to his family and loved ones.
On his social media platform – Twitter – President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo expressed shock at KABA’s demise, describing him as “undoubtedly one of the most talented journalists of his generation.”
The president expressed condolences to his wife, family and the Multimedia Group.
Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, in a short tribute on Facebook, described KABA’s death as a ‘painful loss.’
Former President John Dramani Mahama also expressed condolences to the bereaved family and employers of the deceased.
Book Of Condolence
The Multimedia Group has opened a book of condolence at the Front Desk of the Radio building at Kokomlemle, Accra, in memory of the late KABA.
His colleagues, friends in the media fraternity as well as listeners of his popular afternoon political talk-show, have since been walking into the building to sign the book and pen down memories they shared with the versatile presenter.
GJA Commiserates
The Ghana Journalists’ Association has also commiserated with the family of the late presenter.
In a statement signed by its General Secretary, Kofi Yeboah, GJA described its member’s demise as a “big blow to the Multimedia Group, the GJA and Ghana as a whole.”
The association posited, “There is no doubt that KABA has paid his dues to journalism in Ghana and served his country so well. The GJA believes his death is only divine.
“And so in this grieving moment, and in utmost solemnity and sobriety, the GJA calls on all friends, families and loved ones to reflect on the good works of KABA in order to take a cue from them, rather than allow the pain of loss to overwhelm their thoughts and utterances.”
The GJA added that it had met with the Multimedia Group and the family of the late presenter to discuss plans for the one-week celebration of the death.
The association also pledged its continuous support to the organisation of the funeral of KABA in order to give him a befitting burial.
BY Gibril Abdul Razak