Two University of Ghana (UG) lecturers, Dr George Domfe and Prof. Ransford Gyampoh, lost their cool over the weekend, resulting in hot verbal exchanges during TV3’s Key Points Programme on Saturday November 15.
The incident which occurred both on and off air has been captured in a videos making the rounds on the internet. In the second video which was off air but was leaked, Dr Domfoh is seen being restrained by other members of the panel, Dr Joshua Zaato, Prof Godfred Bokpin also of the same University and in-studio personalities, to walk off stage.
The angry lecturer with the University’s Economics Department, while practically being forced off stage called his colleague names, recalling his sexual scandal with a female student years ago captured in an international investigative piece.
The development economist, had insisted that he be left to beat Prof Gyampoh, who was at a distance.
While he hurled invectives, Prof Gyampoh, who is now the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Ghana Shippers Authority (GSA) but still spends time to teach as a political science lecturer, at no cost, was also being calmed down by private legal practitioner, Martin Kpebu and host Alfred Ocansey.
Many have applauded the latter for not being aggressive like his colleague as that could have been used against him as an appointee of President John Dramani Mahama, who has a Code of Conduct for members of his government.
After the programme, Dr Domfe alleged on social media that, it was Prof Gyampoh who walked towards him and wanted to attack him first. “Gyampo got up from his seat and attempted to hit me. TV3 should be bold enough to show that part! Shame!!!!
The whole incident unfolded when Dr Domfe reacted to a presentation by the Minister for Finance Dr Ato Baah Forson. The Minister was interviewed earlier live on the programme.
Contrary to views by government that successes chalked in the economy is as a result of the hard work and prudent measures, the lecturer labelled as a New Patriotic Party (NPP) academic, believes the government has not done much to deserve any praise.
In an earlier interview Thursday November 13, the same day the budget was presented to Parliament, Dr Domfe attributed the success to the Bank of Ghana (BoG) pumping dollars into the system as the reason the economy is stable.
On the Keypoints programme, where he met the Minister, he pointed out that, to him that the growth in agriculture for instance was due to massive rainfall this year.
He said the government could not have had any magic wand because it budget started operating in April and few months later they could not have achieved what they claim they have.
“I have never said that nothing is happening. I am complaining about the attributions and I kept on saying that significantly it is because of the rainfall because the growth here is in reference to the first six months. NDC budget started working in 1st April so even if they brought whatever magic to push the agricultural sector I don’t think that within the three months—-April May June could push the sector to grow 6 percent and I will show you data where anytime it rains very well agriculture sector does very well and if because of this I am not academic then I have a problem”, he said indicated that his analysis is supported by data.
But of course many on the panel including Kpebu and Prof Gyampoh did not agree with him. Dr Forson reacted to his comments and left.
Passing a comment on Dr Domfe’s analysis, the CEO of the Shippers Authority said credit should be given where it is due and criticism be offered when the need be. He disagreed with the wholesale mentality that everything should be criticized and praise not given when it even clear.
“I want us to look at our analysis from the angle of refusing to give credit where we have to give credit and then we say no we don’t have to. If Ghana had been on auto pilot we would not have been where we are. There are things clearly government is doing well regardless of your partisan political persuasion it will not hurt. I mean I think that we gain a lot of respect and credibility when we are able to say that this is right, but this is wrong. I don’t have to be NPP…..”
At this juncture, Dr Domfe interrupted saying that he cannot sit there and be spoken to in that manner. Comparably, he said he has more credibility than his colleague.
“I don’t think I can stand here for this, I think it is too much. I have tried to remain very calm. I mean when it comes to credibility I don’t think he has more than me. You made reference to me and you are hitting me, seriously? You said to those who a watching us, you said to them.”
Prof Gyampoh then also came in insisting that his colleague allow him to complete his submission before he comes in. He rejected claims that he was attacking him personally,
“I think Dr Domfe you will do the programme a lot of good if you allow me to finish. Alfred, let me make the point that, I think the programme as has been ran over the years has been a decent platform okay? There were so many things he said. In fact, I am not making any personal on him if I have to clarify. I am here and I am saying that I am not making a personal attack on you. Dr Domfe, I do not fear if I have to make personal attack on you but I am saying that I am not attacking your person.
I am saying that when we are disagreeing with each other and we are making a point we have to be civil enough in waiting for the other to finish. I am calm, I am just trying to say that so when credit is due we must give and when we have to criticise we must criticse. But when we always say that no you have not done anything, no you won’t give credit to I think that it is unfair and I have to put it on record.”
At this point, Dr Domfe again came in tracing his history with the Keypoint programme, saying it started appearing on it when it was hosted by the first presenter, indirectly trying to tell Dr Gyampoh he is senior on Keypoints.
“Let me put this on record that this programme started with us when this lady used to host the programme. It is not as if I am appearing on this programme for the first time. It started with us and I used to come here almost every Saturday and we were always making decent contributions and all that.
Prof Bokpin spoke and some of the things he said I don’t agree with him, some of the things I said he supports it. He spoke as an academic, a very decent one for that matter, he never attacked me, and I have respect for such people”, he added.
He then accused political scientist of being political during the opposition days of the current government. He said Prof Gyampoh who was the President of the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) did the bidding of the now government.
“My point is that nobody is more political than Prof Gyampoh. When you were UTAG President. Look at what you did, you were so political. You sold UTAG, you, you sold it. Shame on you”.
By Gifty Boateng