RTP Awards Brouhaha: Kwasi Aboagye eats humble pie

Broadcast Journalist and host of Peace FM’s flagship Entertainment Talk Show, “Entertainment Review”, Kwasi Aboagye has eaten a humble pie and rendered an apology to Head of Communications at Charterhouse and host of THE PUNDITS on GHOne TV for certain baseless and malicious allegations he levelled against George Quaye sometime in February 2017.

THE BACKGROUND
On Tuesday 31st January 2017, just ahead of the 18th edition of the annual Vodafone Ghana Music Awards, Head of Communications for Charterhouse Productions and the scheme’s official voice, George Quaye passed a comment on his TV show, “THE PUNDITS” on GH One TV which sought to suggest that as far as he was concerned, players in the gospel music fraternity were most guilty when it came to people who attempted to bribe their way for awards at the VGMAs.

The assertion which didn’t go down well with many an industry folk generated a lot of clamour in media circles with journalists, pundits, musicians and artiste managers passing all manner of comments generally reproaching the Communications and PR expert for the comment and calling for his head.

Less than 24 hours after the story breaks, George would render an official apology to all who had been somewhat maligned or slighted by his comment, but many wouldn’t buy it.

Hours after the release of the apology on the Thursday 2nd February 2017 edition of the Entertainment Review Show, host Kwasi Aboagye, after a long interview with George Quaye on the subject live on the

Entertainment Review show, during which the latter apologized again and took back his words, made very damning, demeaning and derogatory remarks about George Quaye suggesting that he took bribes from musicians and promised them awards at the Vodafone Ghana Music Awards.

To those who know the very cordial relationship that appeared to exist between these two, the revelations made by Kwasi Aboagye were to say the least, scandalous, sneering and dreadful. Comments and interjections from panel members who were on the show that day indicated clearly that even they were stunned.

On Monday 13th February 2017, George Quaye, whose reputation had been dealt a heavy blow by Kwasi’s comments approached his lawyers, “Faibille and Faibille”, who counselled that an official complain be sent to the National Media Commission.
Two days later on Wednesday 15th February 2017, an official letter of complaint addressed to the Chairman of the National Media Commission with a transcript of Kwasi Aboagye’s comments attached were submitted at the Cantonments offices of the National Media Commission.

On 7th July, 1993, the National Media Commission was set by an Act of Parliament, National Media Commission Act 1993, Act 449 in pursuit of the provisions of Chapter 12 of Ghana’s 1992 Constitution. It is enjoined among others to take all measures to ensure the establishment and maintenance of the highest journalistic standards on mass media, including investigation, MEDIATION AND SETTLEMENT OF COMPLAINTS MADE AGAINST OR BY THE PRESS OR OTHER MASS MEDIA.

At the hearing where Kwasi Aboagye was represented by the General Manager of Peace FM, Mr. Kennedy Osei and another gentleman, they admitted guilt and agreed to honour all the reliefs sought by George Quaye which were:
1. An order for the retraction of all the defamatory commentary broadcast against George Quaye for three weeks on Peace FM during the Entertainment Review Program to be hosted by Kwasi Aboagye for that period.

2. An order for an apology by Kwasi Aboagye and Peace FM to George Quaye, the wording of which shall be approved by George Quaye and the NMC and to be broadcast for three weeks on Peace FM during the Entertainment Review Program hosted by Kwasi Aboagye for that period.

3. Any other relief which the NMC deems just
By Tuesday 12th September 2017, after a few changes to the apology from both sides, a final document, was agreed upon as following;

THE APOLOGY

“On the Thursday 2nd February, 2017 edition of the Entertainment Review Show, I, Kwasi Aboagye made very damning, demeaning and derogatory remarks about Mr. George Quaye of Charterhouse Ghana and the EIB Group suggesting that he took bribes from gospel musicians for them to win awards at the Vodafone Ghana Music Awards.
It was and forever remains a very false and unfortunate comment that I shouldn’t have made at all.

I have no proof whatsoever that George Quaye has ever demanded, solicited, suggested, requested or even taken a bribe from any musician at any point in his role as board member and head of the communications and production team for the Vodafone Ghana Music Awards. Neither has any musician ever approached to report that George Quaye has ever tried to demand or take a bribe from him or her.

I regret my comments and would like to use this same platform to apologise to Mr George Quaye and anyone who may have been slighted, maligned or offended in any way by my careless comments.

No one deserves to have his hard earned reputation tarnished as I did George Quaye and I hereby apologise deeply and unreservedly.

On behalf of the entire management of Peace FM and on my own behalf as host of the Entertainment Review show, I Kwasi Aboagye take back every negative thing I said about Mr George Quaye on the Thursday 2nd February, 2017 edition of the Entertainment Review Show.
I am sorry.
Thank you”

At the start of his show in the afternoon of Thursday 28th September 2017, Kwasi Aboagye apologized to Mr. George Quaye and retracted every single negative slur he cast on him.

Readers may have observed that George Quaye, who until Thursday 2nd February was an active panel member on the entertainment review show has stopped appearing on the show. Will this apology bring him back? Does he even want to go back now that he is himself a host of an entertainment show on Starr FM?

Interestingly enough, both George and Kwesi Aboagye are in the running for the Radio Entertainment Show Host of the year in the 2017 edition of the RTPs. Wish them bot the very best.

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