Kevin Taylor, a controversial Ghanaian journalist who lives in the US, has caused public outrage again. This time, it was for making fun of the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, in a video that went viral and compared him negatively to King Mswati III of Eswatini.
The drama started when King Mswati III arrived in Ghana in a huge private jet with a large group of well-dressed people. Many Ghanaians were impressed and curious. But for Kevin Taylor, it was a chance to make fun of someone. In a video that has since gone viral, Taylor made fun of Otumfuo’s power and status, suggesting that the grand arrival of the Eswatini monarch showed that Ghana’s own royal figure was on a “lower level” of importance.
“Apuu, can you see your level?” Taylor made a joke as he put the public pictures of the two monarchs next to each other. Many people have said that what he said was rude, especially since Otumfuo is so important in Ghanaian history and leadership.
Kevin Taylor has already attacked Otumfuo before. He had previously said that the king was neglecting the development of his own area by going to the opening of an auto museum in Accra instead of Kumasi. But what he said most recently has really upset a lot of people because they see it as an attack not only on Otumfuo but also on the Ashanti Kingdom’s honour.
There are a lot of different responses on social media. Some of Taylor’s supporters praised his bravery, but more people, including traditionalists and cultural advocates, have called what he said “reckless,” “tribally insensitive,” and “a disgrace to Ghanaian values.”
There is one thing that is clear after all the fuss: Kevin Taylor’s style of analysis continues to blur the line between criticism and provocation. It remains to be seen if this new attack will have long-lasting effects or will just be lost in the noise of online anger.