Alhaji Haruna Atta, Ghana's former High Commissioner to Namibia and Botswana, has indicated that his friendship with Kwaku Baako is not one he would describe as amicable.
Speaking to Frank Worlanyo Nyonator, a political reporter for Adom News, about his career as a journalist, politician, diplomat, and author, the retired journalist said that over the years, the two of them have drifted towards different political philosophies that view development through different lenses.
They made news both at home and internationally on July 23, 1998, when they were detained for a publication they conducted on Nana Konadu Agyemang-Rawlings, the wife of one of Ghana's Heads of State and subsequently President.
As editors of the 'The Guide' and 'The Statesman,' Alhaji Haruna Atta and Abdul Malik Kweku Baako were convicted to 30 days in prison by an Accra High Court.
In response to their arrest and imprisonment, Alhaji Haruna Attah stated that, after many years of thought, he is still certain that their activities were for the greater interest of society.
These two figures have aided in the development and moulding of Ghana's democracy over the years. They have found themselves connected with the two major opposing political parties in an odd twist of fate.
Despite coming from a CPP family, Abdul Malik Kweku Baako Jnr publicly expresses his support for the ruling NPP, while his former jail comrade joined the NDC.
Many political observers were surprised when he accepted an appointment as Ghana's High Commissioner to Namibia and Botswana from former President John Mahama, especially since that political tradition was founded on the principles of late president Flt. Lt. Jerry John Rawlings, a man he [Haruna] fought so hard against while in power.
Many politicians and their allies used to get goosebumps when the word Coffee Shop Mafias was spoken since it was thought that this group of journalists were mercenaries with the only objective of generating money.
When the political dispute between John Dramani Mahama and Nana Akufo-Addo had to be settled at the Supreme Court over the 2012 general elections, Alhaji Haruna Attah informed Adom News that he opted to stay away from locations like Coffee Shop over time.
The veteran journalist hesitated to comment directly on President Akufo-leadership Addo's style, but he did state that, when compared to the past NDC administration, he feels John Dramani Mahama was a greater leader than Kwame Nkrumah and Jerry John Rawlings.
In addition, the former editor of The Statesman and the Accra Daily Mail discussed a new book he is now working on.
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