I beg your pardon Mr Daniel Danquah Damptey

Kwami Sefa Kayi

On Tuesday November 3, 2009, during the course of Kokrokoo on Peace FM, the Managing Editor of the Insight Newspaper and also a member of the Socialist Forum of Ghana, Mr. Kwasi Pratt Jnr., made comments to the effect that an article in the New Punch newspaper authored by Daniel Danquah Damptey was negative in thought and purpose and had the potential to fan ethnic/tribal sentiments; pitching the Ewes against the “rest of us”.

Other members on the panel agreed with Mr. Pratt. I personally chipped in my sentiments, citing how de-tribalized I have been from my childhood (maybe my barracks upbringing influenced that) because of the “mix-mix” of tribes I have been exposed to in my young life.

Just to add, my wife Raj is Ashanti, one of my closest confidantes is Ato Kwamina Swatson, a Fanti, Malik Musa who I hang out with quite often is a Northerner, my brother from another mother is Ebo Essilfie a Fanti, my other 'partners in crime' include Randy Abbey,Kwasi Aninagyei-Bonsu,Michael Adjei-Djan(Glovus)and so many others of various ethnic and religious backgrounds, including my 'big brothers' Alhaji Harruna Atta (The Mail) and 'Big Ben' Ephson (Daily Dispatch),my late father was Ewe, my mother is Akwapim, I have Fanti, Ga, Ewe, Akwapim and even Portuguese cousins, so what does that make me? The point really is that we should HIGHLIGHT what unites us more often than what DIVIDES us, whilst we work hard at discarding what DIVIDES us, because at the end of the day, does it REALLY matter where one is from?? Let's all remember that war starts in the minds of men, BUT so does PEACE.

In a rejoinder of sorts, sent to the New Crusading Guide and published in the Thursday November 12, Edition, Mr. Daniel Danquah Damptey admits that “by the time I tuned in to the Station, the programme had almost ended”. He also further in his rejoinder admits that even though he didn't author the article published in the New Punch, “I wholeheartedly endorse most of the sentiments expressed in the article by the writer' ….. He also claims that a mix-up ensured that the article was credited to him by Baby Ansaba (Editor of New Punch).

Mr. Damptey is willing to “forgive” Baby Ansaba for the wrongful credit to him of the write-up but is curiously quick to refer to Kwasi Pratt, the other panelists and 'the moderator' as “uninformed” “One-sided”, “group of hypocrites”, and “eunuchs with no balls hanging between their legs (ouch!! That hurts).

I respectfully use this medium to advice/plead/caution Mr. Daniel Danquah Damptey to “pipe-down” on his “wahala” with Kwesi Pratt and in the process not drag some of us “INNOCENT” people into it.

My upbringing and general demeanour make it very difficult for me to engage him in a “fight” over some negative and untrue remarks he makes about my personality, integrity and professional judgment, I leave that to God and the public at large.

I'd also like to use your medium to assure him that Kokrokoo is not a platform for “attacks”, we strive to do our bit for “God and Country”, we have made mistakes and will continue to, because we are just mere mortals in the pursuit of excellence in this topsy-turvy life, but on the balance so far, and on pain of sounding vain, we proudly stand tall in service to “God and Country” as evidenced by our ranking in the public eye as well as that of industry experts, numerous awards, large listener base, and the fact that we have affected millions of lives positively in the last ten years of delivering the magic of radio to the 'ordinary Ghanaian' everywhere

Much as I respect his right to speak his mind on issues, tribal/ethnic or not … I kindly entreat him to take it easy… Ghana is bigger and deserves better…cheers Mr.Daniel Danquah Damptey, God bless us all.

Thank You
Kwami Sefa Kayi
Peace Fm
Accra
Credit:Peacefmonline