Miss Ghana in dilemma over KKD

• Posted on October 27, 2015
• by Nana Kwesi Coomson
• Comment

Twelve days to the grand finale of the 2015 edition of Miss Ghana, information reaching NEWS-ONE indicates that Exclusive Events, organisers of the pageant, are in a dilemma as to whether to maintain ace broadcaster KKD as the pageant’s resident host or not.

The organisers, according to NEWS-ONE’s source, are concerned about public reactions and their brand, should they go ahead to put KDD on stage to host the event for the search for the next beautiful and intelligent Ghanaian lady, considering his recent rape saga involving a 19-year-old lady.

On the other hand, they don’t want to give up the finest presenter, Kwesi Kyei Darkwa, considering his contributions towards the Miss Ghana brand over the years.

Meanwhile there is pressure on the organisers to officially announce hosts of the pageant ahead of the grand finale scheduled for November 7.

It would be recalled that the Airport Police arrested KKD on December 2, 2014 after 19-year-old Ewuraffe Orleans Thompson accused him of raping her at the African Regent Hotel. KKD admitted having sexual affair with the lady but denied he forced her.

Weeks later the lady wrote to state prosecutors that she was no longer interested in pursuing the case, citing the “media frenzy” that followed the arrest of KKD and the unceasing buzz and social media posts, which she described as insensitive, for her decision. She was therefore unable to continue cooperating with the police in the case but the state prosecutors went ahead with the prosecution of the case.

Later, KKD was granted bail on humanitarian grounds on January 15, 2015 by the Human Rights Court in Accra. Subsequently state prosecutors filed a Nolle Prosequi paving the way for the court to discharge the broadcaster on Wednesday, April 22, 2015.

KKD, at the moment, remains one of the oldest hosts of the Miss Ghana pageant. Though the exact year he started is not readily known, he has been on the platform since the 80s.

He has over the years not only managed to bring a lot of professionalism and skills to bear on the Miss Ghana platform, but has gradually become the face of the pageant in terms of hosting.

He saved organisers of the pageant on some occasions with his unique aptitude.

But the bone of contention now is the rape saga. Will Exclusive Events give up KKD or not?

But what will people say should they use him? And what will it mean for the Miss Ghana brand if KKD is brought close to this year’s contestants? What is the right thing to do?

Whether they will use KKD or not, time will tell. But how long can they avoid using him?

The 2015 Miss Ghana pageant will be parading 21 beautiful contestants. But only one of them will go home with the enviable crown.

This year’s pageant is supported by Manet Properties, Citroën by CFAO, LAWASH manufactured by Lifeon and marketed by Tobinco Pharmaceuticals and IPMC.

The rest include Holiday Inn Hotel, Accra Airport; Best Western Plus Atlantic Hotel, Takoradi; Atlantic Unique Floral; Akosombo Textiles Limited; Imperial General Assurance; FC Skin & Beauty Klinic; Pippas Health Centre Capture; Digital Innovation; DDP; Forever Easy; Frytol by Wilmar Africa; Herbal Life and others.

By Francis Addo