I believe I started listening to Kwasi Aboagye somewhere between 2010 and 2011. Before that, my go-to show was 205 Entertainment on Channel R. On that memorable day, I was working at Pokuase, flipping through radio channels, when I stumbled upon Showbiz Xtra on Happy 98.9 FM with the late Doctor Cann. I enjoyed the show so much that when it ended, I immediately went searching for similar content but to no avail. Later that afternoon the search led me to Entertainment Review with Kwasi Aboagye on Peace FM, and from that moment, I never stopped listening.
Even when I later became a radio producer working on a similar entertainment show, I still tuned in to Kwasi whenever I got the chance. Kwasi Aboagye is truly a gem for the Despite Media Group; his mastery of the craft is unmatched.
At first, I thought he was a bit of a bully or a dictator on his platform. But as time went on, I realized he was nothing of the sort. If you were a pundit or a guest on his show and made an allegation, he would demand your source, ask you to substantiate it, or retract the claim. His insistence on accountability and truth is part of what has made him so influential, and sometimes controversial.
Kwasi Aboagye once hosted a gospel show on Sunday mornings on Peace FM, and the day he stopped was the day I stopped listening to that show. All the big names passed through that show. I later learned he was a DJ, which explained why his song selections were always on point.
When he moved to host the morning show on Neat FM, he became even more fearless. On that platform, you dare not tell a lie. He is more brutally frank there than he ever was on Entertainment Review or with Socrates Sarfo.
Speaking of Socrates, he was one of the elements that made the show exciting, controversial, sometimes annoying, but always interesting. And Kwasi, knowing how Socrates could get, kept him in line whenever he went off track. It’s sad he’s no longer on the show.
In recent times, particularly after Daddy Lumba’s passing and the controversies that followed, I have relied heavily on Kwasi’s platform for accurate reportage on the court case. His analysis has been top-notch. While many media houses gave conflicting reports, he made sure to get the right information. When the late musician’s sister and Abusua Panyin 2Pac visited the Samahene’s palace and confusion broke out in the media, he sought clarity from someone closer to the chiefs, Oheneba of Oheneba Media.
Kwasi Aboagye has his flaws, and I used to be one of his harshest critics. I remember when he constantly brought Counselor Lutterodt on the show; I chastised him multiple times on social media. One day on his show, after what I believe was enough of my criticism, he said, “This person on social media, you’ll understand why we do what we do if you ever become a radio producer or presenter, and why we panel someone like Counselor Lutterodt.”
I knew that jab was directed at me. Ironically, when I later produced Anigye Mmre with my boss, Christian Agyei Frimpong, I fully understood what Bra Kwasi meant.
Kwasi Aboagye is a tough guy because the level of attacks he receives daily is unbelievable. But his legal background gives him an edge, especially on matters like the Daddy Lumba marriage case. Unfortunately, that same knowledge has attracted even more criticism, because some Ghanaians simply don’t want the truth.
Kwasi rose to become the Channel Manager for Neat FM, and occasionally sat in for Kwame Sefa Kayi on Peace FM’s morning show. I remember one particular day he disciplined a politician who thought he could misbehave on air.
So when I saw his retirement letter recently on social media, I was genuinely shocked. I didn’t see it coming. I suspect his good friend Chris Vincent may have influenced the decision, knowing their shared love for early retirement and chilling.
Despite Media Group is about to lose a giant. If they could have retained him, I believe they would have. I also trust that Fadda Dickson, with all his experience, will eventually find a worthy replacement, but Bra Kwasi’s shoes will not be easy to fill.
I still haven’t fully recovered from the loss of his Sunday gospel show and now this.
Bra Kwasi Aboagye, you can be annoying sometimes, but your impact on radio, on talent development, and on the entire entertainment industry is undeniable. You have paid your dues, and you will truly be missed.
