“Is the President Your Enemy?” — Kwesi Pratt and Sefa Kayi Clash Live on Air Over Mahama

Veteran journalists Kwesi Pratt Jnr and Kwame Sefa Kayi engaged in a spirited exchange on Peace FM’s Kokrokoo programme over their respective relationships with President John Dramani Mahama.

The discussion followed comments by former Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly Chief Executive Sam Pyne, who suggested that Pratt could take an issue being discussed directly to the Presidency because of his alleged connections within government.

Pratt pushed back against the suggestion, questioning why he was being portrayed as particularly close to the Mahama administration.

Sefa Kayi, the programme’s host, entered the conversation by describing Mahama as his brother. When Pratt asked whether that made the President his enemy, the broadcaster explained that he had long considered Mahama an elder brother, adding that their relationship existed before Mahama assumed his current political position.

Sefa Kayi then turned the argument towards Pratt, pointing to the journalist’s own connection with the President. He cited Pratt’s book and noted that Mahama had contributed a section to the publication.

In response, Pratt referred to an occasion involving former First Lady Lordina Mahama, claiming that she had personally chosen Sefa Kayi to serve as master of ceremonies at a funeral.

Although the exchange was largely light-hearted, it drew attention to the personal relationships that sometimes develop between influential media figures and political leaders.

The conversation also renewed questions about journalistic independence and whether familiarity with politicians necessarily affects a journalist’s ability to report and comment objectively.

The exchange offered listeners an entertaining moment between two prominent broadcasters while touching on a broader issue: how journalists can maintain professional independence while navigating personal relationships with those in positions of political power.