The grounds of the Veterans Association of Ghana (VAG) Hospitality Centre near the Sankara Overpass last Friday provided the setting for a rare meeting between Rawlings Special Aide, Victor Smith and Kweku Baako Jnr. Editor-in-Chief of The Crusading Guide.
The occasion was the observance of the funeral rites for the late Joseph Gabriel Smith, retired Deputy Commissioner of Police and father of Victor Smith. Victor Smith is presently facing prosecution for allegedly authoring a letter that sought to suggest that Kweku Baako and Mrs. Margaret Amoakohene, a Lecturer at the University of Ghana should be killed.
Kweku Baako Jnr arrived at the funeral grounds in the company of some journalists at exactly 1:30 p.m. The team included Sony Decker of JOY FM’s NEWS FILE fame, Alfred Ogbamey of the National Concord, Egbert Falibille, Jnr of The Independent, Edgar Wiredu of METRO TV’s GOOD MORNING GHANA fame, Ben Ephson of The Dispatch and Lys Hayfron-Asare of The Ghanaian Times.
Other journalists present were PEACE FM’s Kwami Sefa-Kayi and Kwesi Acquah. The team made straight for the section where elders of the Smith family were seated and led by Ben Ephson exchanged greetings in line with tradition. Then came the moment of truth when Ben Ephson moved to the section where Victor Smith and some of his siblings were standing to exchange greetings. The rest of the team had to follow suit and for a freezing moment, Kweku Baako and Victor Smith had to unavoidably shake hands.
Kweku Baako was heard consoling Victor Smith on the death of his father when the two put their palms together for the traditional act. Some of the mourners could be heard asking why Kweku Baako of all persons should show up. Yet others could be heard congratulating Kweku Baako and the rest for turning up to mourn with Victor Smith and his family.
Kweku Baako later told some journalists who expressed surprise at his appearance that Major (Rtd) Joseph Henry Smith, who was an operative of the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council junta and one of Victor Smith’s elder siblings is a close friend.
The funeral grounds also provided the opportunity for some political discussions with the presence of high profile NDC functionaries. The roll-call included former Vice President and now NDC presidential aspirant, Prof. John Evans Atta-Mills, former First Lady Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings, former Finance Minister, Kwame Peprah, former Local Government Minister Kwamena Ahwoi.
Other NDC big-wigs who were present were Dr Nii Armah Josiah-Aryeh, NDC General Secretary, Hon E.T. Mensah, MP for Prampram and Alhaji Huudu Yahaya, first vice chairman.
The Youth brigade of the NDC was equally represented by NDC National Youth Organiser, Haruna Iddrisu, Elvis Afriyie Ankrah, Bismark Agbemenule, Fiifi Kwetey and Ludwig Hlodze. The late J.G. Smith who lived to the ripe age of 91 distinguished himself as a Police Officer, Greater Accra Regional Commissioner and Magistrate.
