Vice President Bawumia signing the book of condolence yesterday
Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia yesterday commiserated with the management and staff of the Multimedia Group – owners and operators of a chain of media outlets – over the sudden demise of Kwadwo Asare Baffour Acheampong, popularly known as KABA.
He was the presenter of Asempa FM’s afternoon political programme, ‘Ekosii Sen’ until his death.
News of KABA’s death hit Ghanaians Saturday morning, sending shockwaves not only among family members, but also colleague journalists, friends and loved ones.
A memorial service was held in his honour in the early hours of yesterday at the premises of the Multimedia Group, located at Kokomlemle in Accra.
It was attended by members of both sides of the political divide, friends and loves ones.
Vice President Bawumia took time off his busy schedule as caretaker president (in the absence of President Akufo-Addo) and joined the teeming mourners to express condolences to the family.
He was accompanied by a Deputy Minister for Roads and Highways and Member of Parliament (MP) for Lawra, Anthony Abayifaa Karbo.
They were met on arrival by the Chief Executive Officer of the Multimedia Group, Kwasi Twum and management of the company.
After a brief exchange of pleasantries, the vice president made a few remarks, describing the deceased as “one of the best journalists we have in this country.”
According to Dr Bawumia, “He plied his trade with professionalism and with such unbiasedness and such neutrality.”
Apart from that, Dr Bawumia said, “He was a friend of everybody and across the political divide, he was very well respected.”
“So it is with deep shock and sadness that I come here on behalf of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and on my own behalf and the government, to come here to wish the Multimedia Group, the management, staff and family and friends our deepest condolences on the passing away of KABA,” he underscored.
Shocked as he was, he prayed that the Almighty God would keep KABA’s gentle soul in peace till the end of time.
From there, the vice president and members of his delegation visited the bereaved family at their Abeka home where he consoled the wife and the child he left behind as well as other family members.
The family has since decided to observe the one week of the passing of KABA come Saturday, November 25, 2017, at the forecourt of the Multimedia Group.
Kufuor Shocked
Former President John Agyekum Kufuor also expressed shock and sorrow at the sudden death of KABA.
Mr Kufuor described the late radio presenter as a “young promising talent whose life has been cut short at its prime.”
He said the late KABA “brought balance to bear in his interviews and captured the attention of his audience with his incisive questions.”
Former President Kufuor said the journalist was like a family member to him and recalled that he (KABA) introduced his wife to him (Kufuor) before their wedding, which he (Kufuor) attended, adding that KABA visited him in his house a few weeks ago.
“Nothing could have prepared us for such a sudden loss. I pray for strength and forbearance for his wife, child, family and close ones. Ghana has lost a great potential. Journalism has lost an even greater prospect,” former President Kufuor said in a statement issued in Accra and signed by Frank Agyekum, his spokesperson.
By Charles Takyi-Boadu, Presidential Correspondent