I have known Paul Adom-Otchere for many years, since Samuel Attah-Mensah first introduced us, one early morning on Boxing Day. At the time they were working at JoyFM. I have since been a guest on his shows on radio and TV on countless occasions. It has always been at his invitation. We have fought many battles together and disagreed on other matters. He has never, not even once, asked me for money; not for himself or even for any crew. The money koraa I no get some. I have never bought Paul a meal or even a drink. It was on Pauls program that I challenged the NPPs infamous IFC loan, after I had seen the rather shoddy loan documentation, and which attracted the angst of high-ups in the NPP who described me as know-nothing. They were probably right. Based on that evidence alone, I have absolutely no basis or bases for thinking or supposing that he takes money to air programs. Rumours? Give me a break. I hear rumours about myself that I would have believed have I not been me. I see people latching on to that TV incident from years ago. Immediately after I saw it, I called him. Paul explained that the guests themselves decided to give monies to the crew, based on the amount of work that they had had to do, very late into the night. Yes, they gave that money to him and he says, and I believe him, that gave it to the crew. He told me at the time that it was GHS100, and I believe him. Why? What is GHS100 to Paul? If Paul would take a bribe, please, not GHS100. Give him some credit. And, speaking for myself, I cannot deny that I have been to places where people have done official work for me, and I have left some money. This goes from tips to waiters to not taking your change from your messenger or cab driver, or giving GHS1 to the parking lot attendants at the courts [yeah, I am cheap like that]. Where do we draw the line? THAT is the discussion that we should be having. Yes, immediately after the Jon Benjamin speech, Paul was visibly upset. He was the MC at the program, and you could tell that he took grave exception to what Benjamin said. Outside the hall, he and I debated the SOLI matter, but all in the spirit of our continued discussions on how to make things better. It will amaze people to find out the kinds of things that Paul and I talk about. Our last major, strong debate was on whether the free use of narcotics should be legalised! Between us, no holds are barred and no punches are pulled. Yet, I a proud to call him my friend and brother. Of course, Paul does not need me to defend him. He is well able to do so all by himself. Many of us who criticise SOLI, cannot deny that we have either paid SOLI or been complicit in the payment of SOLI before. But we seek to set a new course, chart a new path and blaze a new trail. That will involve a debate, a discussion and some unavoidable disagreements. THAT is democracy. If we find and accept a common ground, then we would have made progress on the point. Until we find that ground, we must continue that debate, without tagging and insulting each other. When we do that, we lower the quality of the debate, and we will not arrive at any positive conclusion. Paul, to borrow from a cliche, keep doing you.
Posted on: Mon, 01 Dec 2014 10:08:25 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015