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COMING SOON: ‘Pretending to be President’

Over the years, a lot of people have suggested to me to put my writings into a book.

Initially, I wasn't interested and I adamantly refused to publish. But after listening to some very close friends and some of the people I look up to, I came to the conclusion that it’s the right thing to do.

I therefore assembled a small team, with the help of Albert Ocran, CEO of Legacy and Legacy, to put together my first book. If all goes according to plan, and there’s no reason why all shouldn’t go according to plan, the book will be out on Independence Day, March 6.

‘Pretending to be President’ is a collection of satirical pieces I wrote between 2003 and 2007, under a pseudonym. Few people know about my days as a ghost write. But those who have read some of the articles tell me they make for an interesting and hilarious read. That’s all I can say for now. In the coming days, I’d be telling you more.


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Comments
1. ASHAWO
  16 Feb 2010 | 01:49 AM
  For those of us who are not living in the country and will not be there on 6 March, how can we get a copy? Don't you think people would love it if you have an excerpt on your site before you launch the book?
  Ato's Response  
  I am going to make arrangements to have it on amazon.com. Hope it works out.
 
2. Hubert, NY
  16 Feb 2010 | 03:41 AM
  cnt wait to read dem J. A. Fukuor streaming notes again. Pls put copies available on International Markets like Amazon and co. ( Arthur K's Book on "Elephants and Bushes" is also doing well on amazon, I heard. lol) Great Job. Looking forward to it. :)
 
3. KK
  16 Feb 2010 | 05:03 AM
  Well done, Ato.
You are one of the few Ghanaians in the public eye who write so well and communicate effectively. Of course, one may not always agree with your views, but then you have every right to air them, and you do so effectively. Not many Ghanaian journalists can take a principled stand on matters and stick by them.

God bless you in your endeavours and I wish you every success.
  Ato's Response  
  Thank you very much. I hope to see you at the book signing.
 
4. toziah
  16 Feb 2010 | 06:13 AM
  perfect idea... kudos
 
5. Tsatsu
  16 Feb 2010 | 06:42 AM
  Just can't wait to get a copy. Pyrated at least, not kidding. haha.. just make it affordable dud.
  Ato's Response  
  It will be so affordable that buying it will be unavoidable. And please, don't pirate.
 
6. Basakin
  16 Feb 2010 | 07:30 AM
  Ato, wish you the best of your luck.
 
7. nana-labone
  16 Feb 2010 | 08:49 AM
  Good idea !
Can't wait to have details of this launch
I cross ma fingers !
  Ato's Response  
  Will let you know the launch dates soon. It will be an opportunity for me to meet a lot of people like you, nana-labone. I am really looking forward to that.
 
8. Banske
  16 Feb 2010 | 09:07 AM
  Super!
I hope yours (the assurance to release the book)will not be like the politician who tells us he will do this or that in first 100 days and it will one year and nothing would have been done.

Action truly speaks louder than words.
What you have done for humanity in 10years could not be done by Jato,K4 n Fiifi combined in 40 years.

By the way I hope you are aware that you continue to be a target of these animals clothed in human skin labeled politicians?and they gonna intensify their efforts after the release of the book?

Watch out!

Congrats boy!
 
9. Adowa
  16 Feb 2010 | 09:13 AM
  Contrary to popular sayings, I can tell this book by its cover. It is full of Ato at his full-blast best. When am I getting my comp copy in return for a check? ... lol.

Can we have a preview, pls?
  Ato's Response  
  Yes, you can. Soon.
 
10. Papa
  16 Feb 2010 | 09:48 AM
  Great! am on standby for an Autograph copy
  Ato's Response  
  You'd get it.
 
11. Me Too
  16 Feb 2010 | 10:46 AM
  Krakye, put some extract of the book on this blog at least.
we shall read papapa
 
12. Odopower,DC
  16 Feb 2010 | 11:24 AM
  Ato, I can't wait to get a copy of ur book and hope u will not be a politician to renege on ur promise because there are so many mallams around so it becomes difficult to point to the right one in this country. Hope u get the needed support but whiles hoping for the best u can expect the worse. Kudos bro.....
  Ato's Response  
  I have been assured that we'd meet the deadline. The book SHOULD be out on March 6. Possibly, two days earlier.
 
13. Bobby
  16 Feb 2010 | 11:31 AM
  I ato, i thought it will be a TV Show. what about that? That will be update and will elaborate on what you think a sitting president decisions on issue should be if you were in his/her shoes.
  Ato's Response  
  TV is a whole different ball game. But thanks for the suggestion.
 
14. Nana Essiful
  16 Feb 2010 | 12:26 PM
  I love the cover page if that's how its looks like. I hope i will get one on Amazon.
 
15. me
  16 Feb 2010 | 02:22 PM
  Kudos Ato!

I can't wait to buy one for my wife... so she doesn't have to wait for the newspaper review on Joy FM every morning to connect with your guileless, witty, 'common sense', approach to contemporary issues.

Keep the fire burning man and one of these days it will catch on these 'leaders' of ours.
  Ato's Response  
  By all means get one for your sweetheart but I'm sure it won't stop her from listening to the newspaper review.
 
16. Tong Cheung
  16 Feb 2010 | 02:42 PM
  Ato, ma' grtns. Dis is Wh@ i wld like to do to out-door ur upcoming publication: Frm the producers of Nokofioo sub-committee on chop-chop Affairs comes to u another'Hilarious' master piece... PEEE 2 b PEE, pt one & two. Now Showing @ a BookShop near You!. Grab a Copy Now!!!!!
  Ato's Response  
  Thanks for the concept. We will consider it.
 
17. Emmanuel ROCKY
  16 Feb 2010 | 03:53 PM
  I cant wait to read these old write-ups on DUNCAN WILLIAM, AN ALBATROS CALLED TSATSU, ORDER OF THE VULTURE & RATS among others. But what will be the cost and where can one get a copy?. God bless ghana
  Ato's Response  
  Sorry to burst your bubble. But you are so wrong. Those articles you mentioned were not written with a pseudonym, were they?
 
18. Kay, Media360
  16 Feb 2010 | 04:36 PM
  Ato, congrats and i like your book cover design.
Brilliant.
 
19. KK, Akropong-Akuapem
  16 Feb 2010 | 05:12 PM
  As for this one, I can tell the contents of this book by its cover and I simply CANNOT wait to read it. Please let us know when it will be launched. I hope it will be at a godly hour so I can get back to the cool mountains. Ayekoo!!
  Ato's Response  
  Programme should start at 7 and end by 8. You will be on the mountains in 30mins.
 
20. maame nyarkoah mantey
  16 Feb 2010 | 06:42 PM
  we cant wait!!
 
21. somebody
  16 Feb 2010 | 07:03 PM
  Ato,
i'm proud of you!!! very soon i'd also publish some of my comments in a book. kakra kakra we would break these barriers of INTOLERANCE!!!

the funny thing is that some of those who are calling me a coward today may live to laugh at the wrong sides of their mouths come the nearest future!!!

  Ato's Response  
  The articles in the upcoming book were written under a pseudonym. I guess I was a coward then, right? Don't mind those who say you are a coward. Sometimes, it's imperative that you lie low.
 
22. Nana Damoah
  16 Feb 2010 | 08:27 PM
  Ayekoo. We need to leave our thoughts for this generation and those yet to come, and I am excited to see more publications such as yours coming out. More grease and many blessings Ato.
  Ato's Response  
  Thanks, Nana. I am following your good example.
 
23. jk
  16 Feb 2010 | 09:41 PM
  ato,
this is great news. am looking forward to grabbing my copy. hope it gets to amazom.com soonest.

congrats
 
24. Joy - ATO ANOTHER SARAH PALIN, eh!!
  16 Feb 2010 | 10:54 PM
  There goes the arm chair critics - taking advantage of political humor and no-sense articles to make money - ala Sarah Palin.

It is easy to be hysterical, but it is another to be in the trenches working on the good governance of the country to bring us out of poverty. Nevertheless we need people like you and I encourage you to publish whatever you deem fit.
 
25. ELVIS KUKUBOR
  17 Feb 2010 | 08:29 AM
  great!God bless u man.this is the begining of greater things in your life.from a very humble begining look @ what the lord has taken you.
please i want to rent the silver birds for u so we can have a premiere.thats what is in vogue you know!see u @ the launch
 
26. kristoffer colemann
  17 Feb 2010 | 10:44 AM
  ato, i know the book will do well,we the bofrote sellers are absolutely brilliant,by the way this TEA PARTY MOVEMENT in the UNITED STATES wont they need some bofrote to balance it?
u have been missing from weekend city show why?
 
27. rekeke
  17 Feb 2010 | 10:53 AM
  Ato i hadn't been following you on joy super morning show when i was in ghana until i had an opportunity to study outside my beloved country. I remember my days back home when my friends kept urging me to listen to you on joy but i didn't.
The last few weeks have made me realized what i had been missing all these while.
Last three weeks i chanced upon your website when i was reading an article you wrote on myjoyonline.com and since then i have been reading through your past blogs and before i say anything else i must salute you because you are a real blessing to mother ghana.
You have a style of writing that makes you stand out among your peers and i really like the way you touch on so called sensitive issues even the "big wigs" in the media have their tails in between their legs and seems not to have the guts to call a spade a spade.
I wish your book becomes a success and may GOD grant you long life so you continue to shame Lugard.


 
28. evelyn
  17 Feb 2010 | 11:14 AM
  I wish i could be there to be part of the launch but since I won't be, would you let us know as early as possible where to get copies.
I don't want to be running into obscure bookshops just in search of your book. But I honestly want to own your book so let us know. Okay.
 
29. Siisu Iddrisu
  17 Feb 2010 | 12:20 PM
  Hi-Ato,

That's fantastic! That will be your legacy and should be stock in your mini library for your children to read.

Not quite a long time uncle Jumo I mean George Sydney Abugri who writes feautres for Daily Graphi every Friday also publish one of which we admired it and purchse it as well.

You will make money and God willing purchase a house and move in with your wife from your Chamber & a Hall you philanthrophically Offer to X-Prez Rawlings in your daily paper review with Kojo Opong Nkrumah during the fire outbreak of their colo house.

Atleast Dr. Atto Kennedy et al will not be only those write but Atokd included.

How is your birthday plasma Tv @ Joy Fm donated to you doing?

keepon writing we love to raed from you.

Stay Tuned!!!
Siisu

 
30. Ace
  17 Feb 2010 | 12:20 PM
  Frankly, if its about the dissing of public figures and about what they didn't do and could have done... we've read it all b4... we don't need it in a book. we've had quite enough of it. Good luck anyway
 
31. Adowa
  17 Feb 2010 | 01:24 PM
  @ 29. Siisu Iddrisu
Awww, how romantic your are ... I'm touche .. sobs! sobs!! sobs!!!
 
32. Augez
  17 Feb 2010 | 02:28 PM
  Well done Ato! Can't wait to get my copy.
 
33. Adwoa Serwaa
  17 Feb 2010 | 03:36 PM
  I can't wait for the launch!Ato pls don't forget to give us the date for the launch. I would like to meet u in person.

Congrats!
 
34. Citizen Valency
  17 Feb 2010 | 05:44 PM
  Ato, am soo happy ur first book is coming out soon. Hope to get an autograph copy pls....
 
35. Frank, Kumasi
  17 Feb 2010 | 07:23 PM
  Like Atongo said in the interplast ad, 'me too I can't wait'.
 
36. isaac opoku tni
  17 Feb 2010 | 10:26 PM
  The Law of Reciprocity
This law says that people are always looking for opportunities to return favors to people who have done favors for them.
After numerous times listening you on Joy FM and reading your articles , this is the way that you really want to reward us . thanks and more grease to elbow


i will love t have a copy of the book .
 
37. GAIUS
  18 Feb 2010 | 11:15 AM
  I HOPE YOU WILL PUT SOME OF THE BOOK AT THE VOLTA REG.LIBARAY HO.SO THAT WE THE YOUNG ONES THAT LOOK UP TO YOU CAN READ.
 
38. Ekow, Winneba
  19 Feb 2010 | 06:47 AM
  Ato we cant wait any longer cant you like pull the date any closer?
 
39. BNT
  19 Feb 2010 | 05:00 PM
  Ato you are becoming reverent with time. good work
 
40. victor
  22 Feb 2010 | 10:30 AM
  In fact, I will just be on the stand by to do some photo copies of your book. At any rate I don't think I will be breaking any law if do so. Anyway, I am based in cape coast so how can I possibly get a copy to execute my mischief.
 
41. Seli
  22 Feb 2010 | 12:18 PM
  hi Ato, i admire you a lot and always make sure i listern your news paper review sitting most at times in my trotro going to work. Always believe and share in most of your submissions. Please in as much as i would like to have a copy of your book which i believe you will in your own good wisdom make it affordable to some of us university graduates seriously still in search of a descent job to do to realize our dreamz. Please in case you want marketers and sales guys to sell and market the book for you dont hestitate to call at me please. Good day sir.
 
42. David S.
  22 Feb 2010 | 02:40 PM
  Will the book be available for sale online? I hope to be able to go to Amazon.com and purchase it.
 
43. Saaso
  26 Feb 2010 | 07:43 AM
  Ato the caption of the book already shows how interesting it will be its a must read book and a perfect time to adore it too..am wit u bro.
 
44. Anselm Weber a.k.a. "Only a white man"
  26 Feb 2010 | 04:49 PM
  Dear Sir,

I am writing from Germany. Your observations are simply brilliant. Perhaps you have seen that I very often commented on them. Every week I was searching for THE LETTER.

I surely will buy the book, written by you.

Perhaps you have read my comments on your LETTERS signed by me with "Only a might van"... (My intention was, that I had to make an inversion, too :-)) It gave me a good laugh when people didn't realize the irony and the sarcasm in the letters...

Please be so kind to give me the ISBNs of your books.

Have a blessed weekend
Greetings from Germany
Anselm Weber
a.k.a. Only a white man
a.k.a. Only a might van
a.k.a, The flying crocodile
a.k.a. a lot of other monikers


e-mail: Onlyawhiteman@t-online.de
 
45. KO
  05 Mar 2010 | 05:55 PM
  Ato,

Where can we get copy in the US? Is it coming to amazon any time soon?
 
46. Issah Danaa
  29 Jun 2010 | 12:26 PM
  Ato, get the book published and we shall
purchase it waa,waa,waa like hot cake.
Ato see to it that the book is affordable and available to those of us living in the hinterlands and off the beaten trucks. more grease to your elbow Ato.
 
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