Paul Victor Obeng – My take and my salute

I have a friend who is a former Ghanaian journalist but has been a resident in the US for several years now. This friend who I shall refer to as Kwame Yaw told me he was often stationed at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) - VIP section during his practicing years as a Journalist in Ghana. They (the VIP section Journalists) were always on the lookout to scoop interviews from arriving/departing dignitaries. This was in the 80’s and early 90's.

Kwame Yaw told me that their happiest times "on the beat" at KIA’s VIP section was when Mr. P.V. Obeng (affectionately called PV) arrived from overseas. According to Kwame Yaw, PV would say in twi words that conveyed the following meaning ..."friends, you must be tired from the long wait...come, come….please come and get something little as a small compensation for your long wait". PV will give them some money and then proceed to talk to them if time permitted. Kwame Yaw said this was in sharp contrast to an arrival by some others who would not so much as acknowledge with even a nod of the head that some people had been waiting for their arrival.

It has been nearly 15 years since Kwame Yaw told me about the above story. I recall it now in memory of the late PV Obeng.

When I was a student of KNUST (TEK) in the 90’s, we were often regaled with stories about some dignitaries who were ponded. I don't know if ponding is still a practice at TEK. I heard some years ago that it had been abolished. If it has, I shall drink to that - with good reason. I have the scar to show for how injurious ponding can be.

One of the legendary ponding stories at TEK during my student years pertained to Mr. P. V. Obeng. According to this ponding story, PV found himself at KAT (Katanga) on one of his numerous official functions. After the function, and while exchanging pleasantries as he was been escorted out, some students shouted out that he ought to be ponded. The story goes that PV remarked that as a true Katangee, he would oblige the excited students a ponding ritual. He only requested for the students to exercise a bit of patience for him to rid himself of the valuables on his person like his wrist-watch. And PV was ponded!

My understanding is that PV was a Katangee when he was a student at TEK where he became the SRC president in 1972. I am sure that PV would have been lauded even more had he been a Continental (resident of Unity Hall).

I never had the opportunity of ever meeting Mr. P. V Obeng in person. But such stories as above that I heard about P.V. gave me an indication of the type of man PV was - warm, affable, thoughtful, respectful and confident.

PV was also legendary for his off -the-cuff eloquence. He had a brilliant mind.

I admired and respected P.V. Obeng from afar as much as I disliked his political tradition - the P/NDC. I have often wondered how the P/NDC which can boast of some of the most brilliant minds Ghana has to offer can manage to produce so little for their country after over a quarter of a century in government. Some have said that but for PV’s maturity and brilliance, it would have been a lot worse. Perhaps that explanation will do for now.

President Kufuor has described PV as a gem. Indeed, according to a publication on Peace FM. President Kufuor further went on to say that PV was a part of the success story of the Kufuor Administration. That testimony by President Kufuor does more justice to the brilliance of Mr. P.V. Obeng than his many years with the P/NDC would suggest.

Ghana has lost a great and brilliant son. A great tree has fallen.

PV, Ghana salutes you and mourns your passing.

PV, May you find eternal rest in the bosom of your creator.