Popular Ghanaian broadcaster, Kwasi Aboagye has recalled an instance when Fadda Dickson, the Managing Director of Despite Media, asked him to apologize for criticizing Afua Asantewaa’s capabilities during the sing-a-thon contest.
Kwasi Aboagye described the moment his boss called for the apology as unexpected and unforgettable.
It can be recalled that the Peace FM radio presenter’s comments about Afua Asantewaa were met with disapproval from Ghanaians who felt they were inappropriate and offensive.
In response to the criticism at that time, Aboagye issued a formal apology to Asantewaa, acknowledging the potential discomfort his comments may have caused.
However, in the wake of Afua Asantewaa’s disqualification by Guinness World Records, Kwasi Aboagye bitterly recounted the barrage of criticisms he faced from the public when he registered his opinion about her.
Describing how he felt when his boss (Fadda Dickson) reproached him, Kwasi Aboagye said, “My disappointment was when Fadda Dickson sent me a voice note that I should apologize. If you ask me how far this went, that was it for me. He hasn’t done anything of that sort before. So, out of respect, I had to heed.”
“I was in the U.S. at that time, I checked my phone at dawn and I saw several missed calls from him and the voice note as well. As for the insults [from the public], I don’t want to go there. Because I am used to it,” he further stated.
A few hours before the start of Afua Asantewaa’s singing marathon contest in December 2023, Kwasi Aboagye made headlines with his critical remarks.
Expressing what seemed like frustration, he urged Afua to cease speaking and focus solely on her attempt to break the record.
He also commented on her vocal abilities, suggesting that she should avoid interviews and concentrate on improving her voice.
“You are about to sing for four days, yet, this is how your voice sounds like. Even though your voice isn’t nice, let’s put that aside… You need to stay indoors and rehearse properly for this because Hilda Baci did not do ‘try and error’ with her cooking contest. Stay indoors and rehearse and shut up! Keep quiet, you are talking too much,” he earlier stated.
The controversial comments sparked a backlash with many questioning the appropriateness of such statements.
On December 24, 2023, Asantewaa embarked on a mission to break the Guinness World Record for the longest singing marathon. She was the toast of December in Ghana as she sang for 126 hours and 52 minutes. She initially planned to end on 27th December; however, after consultation with her team, she decided to sing continuously for five days.
GWR later disclosed that she was disqualified, stating emphatically that the guidelines around rest break timings was not met.
Kwasi Aboagye Replies Kwaku Manu
Kwasi Aboagye responded to actor Kwaku Manu’s criticism, which was triggered by the media personality’s comments on Afua Asantewaa’s sing-a-thon attempt.
Recalling the intensity of the actor’s outbursts, Kwasi Aboagye wondered whether they were merely for clout or stemmed from a place of bitterness.
He said there isn’t the need to wade into just any issue, adding that Kwaku Manu’s rants at that time, were uncalled for.
Kwasi Aboagye stressed the non-objectiveness of Kwaku Manu’s criticism.
“The things that Kwaku Manu said, were they for clickbait? When I saw the video, I was very disappointed,” he said.
While emphasizing the importance of discretion in delivering criticisms, the Peace FM presenter revealed that he could have disclosed sensitive information about Kwaku Manu’s past marriage, which he had kept confidential for many years.
Kwasi Aboagye made these remarks while recounting the numerous attacks he faced when he criticized Afua Asantewaa during the Guinness World Records sing-a-thon attempt held in December 2023.
Following Kwasi Aboagye’s public apology to Afua Asantewaa for attacking her, actor Kwaku Manu lambasted the broadcaster for engaging in such conduct.
He criticized what he referred to as Kwasi Aboagye’s jealous attitude and questioned whether Aboagye considered himself wiser than Fadda Dickson, the Managing Director of Despite Media. Fadda Dickson awarded funds to Afua Asantewaa in support of the sing-a-thon.
“In this world, having a father or relative like Kwasi Aboagye, who hinders others’ progress and thrives on bad news, is not easy. It appears he did not mature intellectually alongside his physical growth, remaining envious from infancy to this stage,” Kwaku Manu said.
“If someone wishes to contribute to the country, what is the issue? Do you consider yourself wiser than Kwame Despite or Fadda Dickson? Afua went to UTV, and they provided her with a platform. The jealousy exhibited by Kwasi Aboagye seems to stem from the financial support given to Afua Asantewaa by Despite Media and the attention she receives,” Kwaku Manu fumed in an earlier viral video.
READ ALSO: Afua Asantewaa Breaks Silence After Sing-A-Thon Verdict
