Gone too soon - Media personalities eulogise KABA
Three days after the passing of Asempa FM’s Kwadwo Asare Baffour Acheampong, his colleagues and friends say they are yet to come to terms about the news.
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The host of one of the country’s most popular political talk shows, Ekosii Sen, the man who was popularly known as KABA died on Saturday at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, dealing a devastating blow to his family, friends, his employers, the Multimedia Group, listeners of the show and those who admired him from afar.
It started out like the usual rumour but when his death was confirmed, it led to an outpouring of emotion across social media with condolences pouring in from all over.
President Nana Akufo-Addo, Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia and former President John Dramani Mahama all posted on Twitter commiserating with his family and Multimedia. Many politicians who have been on Ekosii Sen have also also tribute to him.
For those at Multimedia, the grieving is set to continue for a long time and for someone like Nana Yaa Brefo, his former co-host of Badwam, the morning show on Adom TV, the pain is intense because they were like family.
They got closer when they were paired for Badwam and the relationship became so strong that when he was taken off so he could fully concentrate on Ekosii Sen, it was difficult for her.
“It was hard for me to accept any replacement for Badwam. In fact, when Kwabena (current co-host) came, several people had to talk to me before I accepted him,” she said.
She said the last time she spoke to him was last Friday when she called to inquire why he didn’t host his show. He said he had been unwell then on Saturday, she received the news about his death which she didn’t believe.
After going to his house and meeting no one, she went to Korle Bu and “it was true. I actually saw his body being taken to the morgue. This is a big blow to me and it’s not been easy at all. Something precious has been taken from me,” she stated.
KABA’s producer was Dominic Kissi Yeboah, who had worked with him since 2011. When Showbiz got in touch with him, he was lost for words and was utterly confused. Eventually, he spoke these few words. “He was very hardworking, he was a good person and he taught me a lot. Ghana has lost a great talent.”
Adom FM News Editor, Afia Pokuaa also had a close relationship with him. “KABA was not malicious or antagonistic, in fact he did not do well with conflict. He was very calm and hardly complained even if he saw things were not going very well. He was very easy to work with and it is sad to lose him,” she said.
“Ekosii Sen will never be the same. He took over the show and structured it and made it so excellent that at a point, there were more than 40 commercials on the show. We’ve lost a great talent,” she added.
For Sammy Yirenkyi, the Programmes Manager of Asempa FM, the news has shaken him. “I am heartbroken. He was a great colleague and a good presenter. I still cannot come to terms with his death. It is too soon and too sad. May God grant him rest.”
‘Chairman General’ Kwami Sefa Kayi, was a close friend of KABA and was at his wedding last year. They used to give each other shout outs on their respective programmes and he is yet to get used to the sad news.
“The call came at about 7:30am on Saturday...the voice on the other side shakenly asked "have you heard from your friend KABA?" When I probed all I got was " I hear he's dead"!!! I sat up in bed and have remained numb since; in denial I guess,” he told Showbiz.
“A professional who did his bit with a clean heart and a clear conscience; a man of more than average size yet very warm and soft in his dealings with others; he considered me a big brother and we shared lots of private moments and personal chats from the home to the personal to the professional and to the outright silly.
“Slowly I shall come to terms with his transition and I'm sure I will eventually break down to exhale...We had plans that will obviously never materialise... Rest my brother; sleep well!!,” he added.
Communcations Manager at the National Petroleum Authority, Anny Osabutey, who also worked with KABA had more than a working relationship with him. “We were like family because his wife Valentina and I go way back. We talked a lot and even when I left Multimedia, we still stayed in touch.
“KABA was an outstanding human being. He never held grudges; he would have an argument with you and it ended there. He had a respect for people, a respect for intellectual property. He had so much promise and it’s so sad. He had a baby not too long ago and his wife is also very young. He had so much promise and the way he handled Ekosii Sen was just great. It will be hard to get a replacement for him on the show.
“This is sad but frightening too because it makes you begin to check yourself and ask questions about what can happen to you.”
Della Russell Ocloo, a journalist with the Graphic Communications Group Ltd counted KABA among her friends.
“He gave me the nickname Head of Birthday Dedications because I always asked him to do dedications for friends, family and colleagues who were celebrating their birthdays each time he was on air. He was such an intelligent chap and we shared information regularly. Anytime he had to do an interview on a maritime or port related issue, even in the studio, he would always hit me behind the scenes with questions,” she said.
“We shared many jokes, and each time we discussed something funny behind the scenes, he will mention my name on air and laugh so hard. I want to remember him for what he stood for. Professionalism, winning a war against corruption, seeing Ghana as a country where foreigners will equally come to seek greener pastures. My thoughts and prayers with his wife, parents and all whose lives he touched in his career,” she added.
Showbiz’s columnist, Francis Doku who covers all things radio and television also shared some thoughts.
“KABA took over as host of Eko Sii Sen on Asempa FM he filled a big gap left by the previous host, Bobie Ansah. Over the years, he managed to have his own influence on the show after initially struggling to do so. Under his direction and influence, Eko Sii Sen became the most listened to political show on radio, especially during afternoon. You have to show up on his show to show you have arrived.
“He is the quintessential definition of "large and in charge" and I think he would be sorely missed by the many listeners of the show as well as the management at Asempa FM, especially in finding a replacement,” he stated.
KABA joined Asempa FM in 2008. He had previously worked with Top Radio from 2004 – 2008.
He studied at the University of Cape Coast, the Ghana Institute of Journalism and the University of Ghana.
He married Valentina Ofori Afriyie, a staff of Class FM in Accra in June 2016. They have one child, a daughter. May his soul rest in peace.