Kofi Totobi Quakyi, The Ghanaian Con Artist: A Rejoinder

Dan Asamoah's diatribe on Hon. Totobi Quakyi contains a chockfull of incivility and irresponsibility, which not only serves the purpose of disinformation to the readers but also seeks to bring irrecoverable damage to Hon. Totobi Quakyi. Lately, it has been the practice that the centre of gravity of media and political parties is to bring down politicians by a well orchestrated and well sponsored campaign against the latter. No news story attracts the attention of the reader, if it lacks some scandalous ‘information’ about a former or current political figure. It is quite evident that some unscrupulous and disgruntled individuals are still out there trying to make false perceptions about some politicians. Without mincing words, and to save the army of readers the agony of a lengthy communication, there is the need to point out that there is no iota of truth in the entire article by Mr Asamoah as it is merely an embodiment of imaginations and falsehood. On September 6, 2010 Ghanaweb posted a story by Mr. Dan Asamoah titled, “Kofi Totobi Quakyi, The Ghanaian Con Artist", which was simply based on malicious reporting and twisted facts. To add sensationalism to his lousy disquisition, Dan begins by trying to gain some mainstream readers attention by stating that he was a contemporary of Hon Totobi at University of Cape-Coast. He further contends that Hon Totobi discussed his kidney problems as well as his dialysis treatment with him. I have known Hon. Totobi since 1976 (from University of Cape Coast days). I also met him on numerous occasions in the US, and I do not recall hearing Mr. Asamoah's name in our conversations, because we did discuss all the UCC alums we have crossed paths with in the United States anytime we have a "seance" at our regular rendezvous. Hon Totobi is of the stand-offish disposition and that makes it unlikely for him to discuss his health issues with someone like Asamoah who, undoubtedly, is prone to hearsay "journalism". Here, I would like to seize this opportunity to draw the attention of my readers to take my rejoinder not as a piece of rhetoric argument, but just to put the records straight. The main reason why Mr. Asamoah's article caught my attention was because of the personality that he attacked. Dan sharply criticizes Hon Totobi which in my view is politically incorrect and, invariably, borders on jealousy. His most substantive comment in his article is an implied side-remark about the Hon Totobi having two smart children in Ivy League institutions. His article consists of more intransigent restatements, coupled with motive-mongering digs against the nobleman. But, more importantly, Dan's latest blind claim is where he makes some sweeping statements about NDC rank and file.

But with all these, they turn around and tell their countrymen that John Evans Atta-Mill's government is only less than two years old and there is not much he can do to alleviate the suffering of their countrymen. I have watched the so-called foot soldiers of the party labored day and night to bring the NDC back to power for only these greedy bastards who have no sense of remorse or shame to hijack for their selfish gains.

He augments his claim that NDC bigwigs are amassing wealth and neglecting the foot soldiers. But what is most striking to me about this article and its contents is the author’s expenditure of prodigious effort to “prove” what is really not common sense. Mr Asamoah, who are these greedy bastards? And why is it that your article is not about these greedy bastards but it only seeks to twist facts about Hon Totobi? Inquiring minds would also like to know why you distorted history and padded up your write-up with white lies to make your story juicy and scandalous. It may interest you to know that thirty years have elapsed since Hon Totobi got into politics, so stop spewing poison against him and get reconciled to his existence and appreciate his longevity in politics. The vituperations in Dan's article clearly depict how irresponsible he can be while making any story. A good writer always checks or verifies his facts. Mr. Asamoah, unfortunately is too biased to practice this fundamental rule. I believe he is probably paid or did not get any appointment, of which he was expecting the Hon. to be instrumental. Needless to say, he figured writing such malicious reports, with half quoted and twisted facts and callously accuse a down-to-earth Hon. Totobi would serve as “payback time”. At the very least, one can certainly discern that Dan's article feels more like reading some biography of a bigwig from the opposition party, because he seeks, in his grammatically mediocre and dismal article, to manufacture in his "un-intellectual masturbation" , falsehood that serves to distract attention away from the real issues confronting our country Ghana. Mr Asamoah claims that Hon. Totobi was broke beyond redemption and could not afford dialysis without the help of friends, party members and other benevolent donors all of a sudden could send two his children to Ivy League institutions in the United States within a year after NDC took office. This information is totally wrong and without basis. The truth of the matter is Hon Totobi's son got admitted to Columbia University in the fall of 2008 on athletic and academic scholarship, I repeat, on athletic and academic scholarship four months before NDC won the elections and five months before "NDC took office ". As a matter of fact, he got admitted to five Ivy League institutions with scholarships, and based on my advice, as friend to his father, opted to attend Columbia University. As regards the second child, she just got admitted to Brown, and got matriculated last month, to pursue undergraduate studies in the sciences. Unfortunately, an unnecessary issue has been created out of a non-issue by Dan Asamoah. This kid is not in the medical school as reported by Dan. I challenge him to provide evidence for what he insinuated in his write-up, if he still ‘stands’ by his story. It is easy to stand by a hearsay story, but it is difficult to stand by unverified and incorrect facts. Because I am of the opinion that Mr Asamoah transformed the nib of his pen or the keys pads of his computer into a lethal arsenal to destroy an honorable politician, create doubts and misgivings and to fan and foment fissiparous tendencies in the NDC party and among the Mr Quakyi's loved ones. Mr Asamoah should do himself a favor by refraining from non-pedantic discussions about people and focus on writing about important issues. Instead of peddling rumors, he should champion and pursue truth. Additionally, he should expose, challenge and write about the myriad of malfeasance that plagued the NPP administration. And for doing so, he will definitely get my support and praises, because that is what I classify as insightful and incisive reportage and analysis. Since entering active politics, Hon. Totobi has consistently pursued the realization of good governance, the rule of law and constitutionalism in Ghana. He has been involved in the struggle for a people-focused leadership throughout his adult life both as a student leader and Information Minister. Mr. Quakyi has been more than tolerant to dissent during his days as the National Security Adviser. For numerous years running, Mr. Quakyi has remained a staunch member of the NDC party despite his health issues and the perennial vilifications for defending democracy. Totobi has been subordinate and respectful of the party leadership, rank and file. It goes without saying that he constructively engages in the political process in order to bring positive changes in the NDC party and to the country. Aren't these traits to be encouraged in any institutional setting? Hon. Totobi deserves many congratulations and in my books he is a quintessential political icon. Dan Asamoah's intended implication in his article, of course, is to use propaganda as a tool to weaken Hon Totobi from within and to malign his image. Anyone who is familiar with or acquainted with Hon Totobi can discern that the article is just a complete asinine nonsense, and that the author has a penchant for collusive collaboration to discomfit others. I heard the news about his ailing health before I finally met the supposedly ailing man in the company of my wife and two other friends. For those puzzled by Mr Asamoah’s article, be assured that it is meant not to be taken quite seriously and it should be quite difficult for any reader who knows Hon Totobi very well to believe this nonsense vignette authored by a misinformation czar, who, I figured has a propensity for mischaracterizing and distorting information. Summing up, it is the misguided statements inherent in Mr. Asamoah's discourse that lead me to believe that such an article, in truth, only serves to demonstrate either the ignorance of the author's actual views or the dishonesty of the writer who deliberately misrepresents them. Kudos to NDC Virginia from dissociating the chapter from the dishonorable Dan Asamoah of the Enemy Hall of Shame!

Abirekyeba Kofi Sammy, Jakiti