Ebenezer Writes About His Respect For KwawKese

Over the past few months, the love and respect I have for Ghanaian musician Kwaw Kese (as a journalist and radio personality) has soared and I think it is time I let you in with this write-up.

Late last year, I broke news of Kwaw Kese’s arrest through this same medium www.nydjlive.com at a moment when the Ashanti Regional Police PRO, Chief Inspector Muhammed Tanko had denied knowledge of his arrest.

Many thought it was of those regular hype stories done by most bloggers as Kwaw Kese was gearing up for the release of his Forever album.

Well, this called for heightened tension as people called for my head especially since the police had denied knowledge of any such arrest but I still stood my grounds. (Thanks to my informants from higher sources)

Finally, news of his arrest was confirmed and I could save my ear from all the phone calls.

Fast forward to how events unfolded

Although Kwaw Kese had been reliably informed I was the first to break the news of his arrest, he was not hesitant in allowing me visit him when he was remanded at the Kumasi Central Prisons. Keep in mind, the prison officers had turned down visits from all media personalities and journalists. What was so special about me?

During his back and forth case adjournment, I was never denied any information I sought for either by his manager Kelvin or his lawyer, Kwasi Boaitey (who happened to be a senior colleague radio presenter back at Kapital Radio).

If my memory serves me right, I remember I was present at almost every court hearing and I can recount how many media outlets depended on me for updates on his court case.

When Kwaw Kese was granted bail, he and his team hit me up on the foundation’s desire to reach out on Vals Day and together, it happened with the support of Tigo Ghana ​and other sponsors. We spent time at the Children’s Ward at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital and later to the Kumasi Central Prisons where he donated items to the inmates.

On all these occasions, Kwaw Kese kept a clean sheet as he further responded to my radio interviews on my show Ryse N Shyne on YFM 102.5MHz prior to and after the release of his apology song Massa I Beg.

Fast forward, plans were ripe to release a song after a name he had been given by the Muslim community at the Kumasi Central Prisons and guess who he broke that news to? Myself. I mean Yakubu.

Until the song leaked by whoever 30 minutes prior to release time, Kwaw Kese had sent me the song a day earlier to premier on my radio show.

Now these thoughts may look like a disjointed puzzle as you read but all I seek to push out with my long writing is that it would be very abnormal for anyone who feels let down by a friend to get back and understand my job as a journalist and radio presenter. Kwaw Kese never attached emotions to what I did.

I know how many colleagues have had problems with public figures because they published or said bad things about them. I’ve had my own share as a radio presenter. It was however OK when I remained a presenter until I started active blogging.

I by this writing wish other public figures would understand our job just as Kwaw Kese did with me and allow us work.

Just as they are happy with us and ready to share all the good news we write about then, I wish they would in the same vein understand what we do as media personalities.

Yes, somebody may say I had not been a good friend to him because of my reportage and I remember my dad saying the same thing when I was going to visit him at the prisons. Well, you may still hold your opinions on that.

Kwaw Kese and I continue to maintain a very good relationship and trust me, my love and respect for the brother just soared like an eagle. Keep it one hundred and we are here to support. Respect my job and you have me.

Someone may say he has no option than to resort to people who can still help him but to me, the fact that he respected my work and continues to maintain that good relationship with me is enough justification of someone who appreciates my work hence the love for his work as well.

To all who supported, appreciated and continue to appreciate my works as well, I love you right back.

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Monica Otumfuor