Nana Akomea Was Provoked But� � Kwaku Baako

Editor-In-Chief of the New Crusading Guide newspaper, Malik Kwaku Baako has described as unfortunate the outburst on Joy FM�s News file program. According to him, the heated verbal exchange culminating in the use of expletives which ensued between the Communications Director of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Akomea and the deputy Minister of Tourism, James Agyenim-Boateng was avoidable. Last Saturday, Joy FM�s News file Programme turned dramatic when two of the panel members engaged each other in what can best pass for verbal �fisticuffs�, although one of the combatants� choice of words was an octave higher. An eye-witness to the whole spectacle, Kweku Baako stated that the NPPs Communication Director was provoked by the way James Agyenim-Boateng went about his submission. Speaking to Kwami Sefa Kayi in an interview on Peace FM�s Kokrokoo Morning show, the seasoned journalist said, in as much as he condemns Nana Akomea for going overboard, what the Deputy Minister for Tourism said could amount to an insult. �This whole issue was avoidable but unfortunately it happened. I think if the two gentlemen had gone by the directives of the host to retract and apologize for the sake of the program and listeners, things wouldn�t have gotten this far. I think Akomea was provoked by the way James went about his submission, of course if he says that he credits Akomea with some level of intelligence, he was virtually saying that it was substandard intelligence so it could amount to an insult. Akomea was provoked but I think he went to the extreme by being categorical�using�words like �stupid fool�� he noted. To him, Nana Akomea is a cool-headed gentleman and not noted to lace his arguments with insults and therefore finds it unfortunate that he allowed the deputy minister to provoke him. �That is not the Akomea that I know, people know him to be a cool collected gentleman, one of the most effective communicators that the NPP have had for a long time. He is a gentleman and a very well organized communicator so it is unfortunate that he allowed James to provoke him and if he is not careful, all the stories that will come out if this will make it look as if that is his character, he is bigger and better than that,� he added.