This Writer first met the late Peter Kweku Abban in 1989 as the Eastern Regional Editor of "The Ghanaian Times" when he was doing his national service with the Ghana News Agency at Koforidua.
It was very refreshing learning from Papa Pee, as the Late Abban was affectionately called by friends, through his writings in "The Ghanaian Times". He was more of a diplomatic writer, who never took extreme positions on issues. He was careful not to offend others by his write-ups.
He was a "bridge" between the old and the new era of journalism in the country. When he was in his good mood, he would take one down the memory lane of journalism in Ghana.
He would recount interesting events that happened from the time of Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah to the early days of Flt Lt. Jerry John Rawlings. He could often give interesting eyewitness accounts of events - those that cannot be found in history books.
Papa Pee did not engage in argument for long. Whenever he felt the argument was getting heated, he would gently state his position and stay out and only look on. He was very humorous and in the company of Mr Asuming Gyamfi and Mr Emmanuel Sarfo of the GBC. One could laugh all the way from Koforidua to Donkorkrom in the Afram Plains and back without feeling bored or tired from travelling on the then bumpy tractor roads of the plains in those days.
Papa Pee had many humorous stories to tell and most of his colleagues used the titles given to the stories he told to call him when he was round. Most of the stories have deeper meanings and one could draw many lessons from them.
Out of some of those "tolis" friends called Papa Pee nicknames like "Odem"; "Masi Eyie"; "Ahusu adika mienu"; "adie ansa nsuo beto" and when he was tired and wanted to go home his parting words were: "Boye beko".
Last year the Eastern Region Branch of the Ghana Journalists Association planned a training programme for media personnel in the Region this year. Papa Pee was one of the resource persons, who were being considered to share his experience with the new generation of Journalists.
It was while putting finishing touches to the programme that news broke that Papa Pee had crossed over. It was hard to believe because this Writer had visited him a few days earlier and he did not look like somebody who was going that soon.
Yes, "Boye Beko" and indeed Boye had gone. Papa Pee rest in peace.
Source: A GNA Feature by E.A. Quaynor
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