Kweku Baako: “I’m Not A Saint Neither Am I Corrupt...Fuseini Has 1 Week To Produce Evidence"

The Editor-In-Chief of the New Crusading Guide newspaper, Malik Kwaku Baako, in response to allegations of obscenely flaunting ill-gotten wealth, has retorted rather sarcastically whether A.B.A. Fuseini, the chief agitator for a probe into his wealth, wanted him to reside in a remote hut.

The Night Editor of the state-owned Daily Graphic and Council Chairman of the Ghana Institute of Journalism, A.B.A. Fuseini, went to town alleging on various networks that the opulence of seasoned journalist cum publisher, Kweku Baako, reeks to the highest heavens of corruption.

Though the self-confessed member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), did not provide any concrete evidence to back his wild incriminating allegations, he strongly contends that Kweku Baako’s purchase of a $350,000 mansion and present affluent lifestyle, does not portray him as a journalist whose newspaper sells less than 1000 copies a day.

But speaking in a panel discussion on PEACEFM’s “Kokrokoo”, Mr. Kweku Baako snidely inquired whether his accusers wanted him to reside in a remote hut. He also debunked the assertion that the “New Crusading Guide” has a circulation of only 1000.

“He says my newspaper sells only a 1000 copies. That shows how bankrupt he is. That shows…he doesn’t even know the circulation of the New Crusading Guide…I should have remained in the small corner in my father’s house or perhaps relocated to a hut somewhere…I should go in for a bicycle or a donkey to ride around in town. I should remain static. That is the prescription for Kweku Baako?” he asked.

The New Crusading Guide Editor-In-Chief was emphatic he had never been given resources by government undeservedly to pursue an agenda, and challenged Alhaji Fuseini to produce evidence to the contrary in nine days, that his acquisition of a house and a vehicle were ill-gotten.

“All he must do, I gave him 1 week two days, is to go with the evidence he has, even if it is crude…or raw material, he should give it to the appropriate agencies. If they see it to be a prima facie case they should proceed with interrogating the issue, I will volunteer the disclosure and they will be embarrassed,” he vowed.

Mr. Baako who admitted that he is not a saint, however, added that he is not shady and only doggedly follows issues on “conviction and conscience.”

“I am not a saint but I am not corrupt. If you want to convince me, you convince me with information and the validity of it…I will do agitation for you for 100 years,” he added.

"Genesis"

The slug fest between the two seasoned journalists began when A.B.A. Fuseini, questioned the recent opulence of Mr. Baako alleging that, the “New Crusading Guide” editor is a beneficiary of the 15 billion old Ghana cedis saga and had also enjoyed significantly from the erstwhile NPP administration’s largesse.

The audit pointed out that Section 6 (1) of the Debt Recovery (Tema Oil Refinery) Fund Act, 2003 states that “The monies assigned to the Fund shall only be disbursed for the purpose of payment of debt incurred by the Tema Oil refinery Company and any interest accruing on those basis.”

But according to the “Enquirer” newspaper, rather than spend the money for the purposes for which the fund was set up, however, 15billion cedis of the debt recovery fund was squandered in prosecuting New Patriotic Party (NPP) government’s 2008 electoral agenda, through various groups, comprising of party apparatchiks, serial callers, and journalists who had turned guard dogs.

Source: Alex Ofei/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana