Feature Article of Wednesday, 2 May 2012Columnist: Mensah, SolomonBy Solomon Mensah

It all started beautifully like the promising breast of a girl in her prime. I knew perfectly that the host of a programme such as the Vodafone Ghana Music Awards (VGMA) will definitely come on stage with “swag.” So when my secret admirer, Chris Antoh, was presented to us as being in an unconscious state in an ambulance, I said wow. From Chris’ sudden awakening from his unconsciousness to his struggle to be on stage as a host was superb.

But like the lizard’s faeces, the beauty of the most talked about show was discoloured as it unfolded. From the hitches of the microphones to the distortions caused by the fans of the artists on stage. However, the most nauseating of all was Appietus’, the renowned sound engineer, blunder.
Appietus’ role was to present an award to the Highlife Artist of the Year. After his short interaction with the audience, his voice like that of God in Ghanaian movies called for the nominees to be shown. Lo and behold, Daddy Lumber, K. K. Fosu, Kwabena Kwabena, Kwesi Pee, George Darko and Lucky Mensah’s names and videos were shown. But, the sound engineer who knows the difference between Highlife and Hiplife was bold enough to name Kwao Kese as the Highlife Artiste of the Year. Don’t ask me whether he was in “ntaaboo” spectacle.
Appietus did not only mention Kwao “Abodam” Kese’s name as the winner but kept hitting his head with one hand telling us he knew what he meant. This serious blunder will be hard to be forgiven especially when the subject in question is fully into the music industry. So, Appietus should have right away recited Prof. Kofi Awoonor’s “A plea for mercy” rather than bursting out, “Chatter House again.”
It is true that Chatter House gave him the wrong card to present but if he was not allowed to look at it back stage, he had every right to do that just after the nominees were shown. It therefore brings the showing of the nominees before an award is presented to question. The question as to whether it is important?
As I chastise Appietus, Chatter House and other event organizers should always ensure professionalism in their activities.
I must state here that this piece does not seek to downplay on the intelligence of the sound engineer. However, it is to draw our attention to what has gradually become part and parcel of the Ghanaian. The “Yes I agree” syndrome.
When filling any kind of document, we mostly scroll down to the bottom of such documents to click or tick the ‘yes I agree’ portion without reading its implication. Sadly, this seals any agreement the document entreats us. We intend shifting blames on others for the consequences of our actions. This therefore pushes one to the wall in defending the assertion that the Ghanaian does not take delight in reading.
A little careful reading and understanding could have saved 5five’s Muge Baya’s featured artiste from shame.
I wonder why we will not consume few minutes of our time in reading what can make or unmake us.
Our leaders may not be unblemished from Appietus’ blunder. The politician, policy makers, pastors and the host of others could also make the mistake of “yes agreeing” if they refuse to make it a point to read and understand what they sign.

The writer is a student-journalist at the Ghana Institute of Journalism.
Email: nehusthan4@yahoo.com