‘Take a bus or you’re not on the show’ – Paa Kwesi Ackom recalls warning ‘adamant’ Terry Bonchaka

Event organiser and media executive Paa Kwesi Ackom, who booked the late Terry Bonchaka for a performance in Kumasi, has recalled how the musician ignored his advice to travel by bus after performing at a show at the University of Ghana (UG) in Legon, Accra.

Bonchaka died in a road accident and missed the performance.

Mr Ackom, speaking to DJ Slim on Classy Morning Show on Class 91.3 FM, recounted that Bonchaka had became interested in a modified open-top Jeep he had bought.

He said the Jeep, a Chinese make with a British Peking engine, had caught Bonchaka’s attention, prompting him to agree to modify a vehicle for the musician.

However, he said when he eventually saw the car Bonchaka had chosen for modification, he was immediately worried and expressed reservations.

Notwithstanding, he said his love for antique items made him consider giving it a go, but that was not to be.

“So Terry brought the vehicle and I saw it and I [said], ‘Ah, this vehicle – someway, someway!’ But you see I love old things and I love old collections and when I take them, I take them first to my welder,” he recalled.

He said the plan was to take Bonchaka’s vehicle to a welder, sprayer and upholstery specialist, in that order, but the musician never handed the vehicle over to him.

Unknown to him, the musician wanted to use the vehicle at an Akufo Hall Week event at the University of Ghana.

Mr Ackom said he learned about Bonchaka’s plans through a young man called Rasta, who was a caretaker at a United Kingdom-based friend’s house and was “moving together” with the musician.

He said he subsequently called Bonchaka, met him and questioned him about performing at the UG, Legon, show when he was also expected to perform at his Kumasi event.

“What’s your plan for our show?” he recalled asking the 21-year-old musician during the confrontation.

According to Mr Ackom, Bonchaka was headstrong and, as such, “when he realised you want to stop him, he would find a way to find his [own] way”.

He said Bonchaka told him they would finish the Legon show, “travel in the night” and continue to Kumasi for the performance.

Mr Ackom said he strongly objected and insisted that Bonchaka travel by bus.

“Or you’re not on the show,” he recalled warning Bonchaka.

He said Bonchaka called him two days later and later walked to his office to plead with him.

Mr Ackom also recalled that he had promised Bonchaka three times the fee for the Legon show if he followed his instructions, and even ditched the Legon show altogether.

He said the musician, however, remained “adamant” and insisted on “all his tricks”.

“Four days to the time, my brother didn’t bring the vehicle. I called him several times, he didn’t respond, so I left it,” he said.

Mr Ackom said Bonchaka eventually took the car he had expressed concerns about to the Legon show because “he wanted people to know he was driving”.

According to Mr Ackom, Rasta drove the car to the show but Bonchaka refused to allow anyone else to drive after the performance. He said “on the day we were travelling,” he warned Rasta that they should forget about coming to Kumasi if Bonchaka did not call him back.

He further said Rasta told him that, on the night of the accident, Thursday, October 30, 2003, a taxi carrying a music group that had performed at the same Legon event overtook Bonchaka’s vehicle on the highway.

According to Mr Ackom, Bonchaka allegedly sped up to overtake the taxi. However, the attempt failed when the driver was blinded by the headlights of an oncoming vehicle. The car reportedly skidded off the road and crashed into a tree.

Mr Ackom explained that “a bump” in the road around Bawaleshie contributed to the crash.

He identified the vehicle as a Morris Coupe convertible and said Bonchaka was driving it at the time.

He also noted that, unlike the Jeep he had modified, the Morris Coupe did not have foam around the bar above Bonchaka’s head to provide protection.

Mr Ackom said he was grieved to discuss the incident and had left out several details because of time constraints.

Paa Kwasi Ackom is a well-known Ghanaian television producer best recognised as the producer of Music Music, a long-running, premier music-driven entertainment show on TV3 in Accra, Ghana. It was for a 2003 Music Music anniversary that he booked Bonchaka.

It has been 23 years since Hiplife and Ragga star Terry Bonchaka tragically died. He was renowned for his charismatic and energetic performances, distinctive African-print costumes and signature one-leg dance.

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