By Jacob Aggrey
Banning of radio stations by Traditional Councils seems to be creeping into our society. We recently heard about the Ada Traditional Council and Radio Ada brouhaha. The Oyerepa FM and matters arising, some posit present the opportunity to relook critically at Ghana’s governance.
On Thursday, August 25, 2022, the Manhyia Palace ordered the closure of Oyerepa FM, a radio station in Kumasi, Ashanti Region.
The position of the Manhyia Palace was that the radio station allowed their medium to be used to denigrate the palace.
Speaking on the Kumasi-based radio station, the Founder and Leader of the United Progressive Party (UPP), Akwasi Addai ‘Odike’ criticised the chiefs for failing to help end the ‘galamsey’ menace.
A lot of commentary has been generated by the recent happenings within the media landscape with the underlying principle of getting parties to come to the table to address lingering issues.
GBC News’ Reporter Jacob Aggrey visited parts of Adabraka in Accra, where he sought views with some of the residents on the issue.
While pointing out that the traditional authorities ought to tread cautiously so far as freedom of expression is concerned, the media were tasked to exercise restraint and remember freedom goes with responsibility.
Ernest, a resident of Adabraka, said, “as a media house, whatever we put outside is for the sake of the people, not for ourselves. Whatever we put out should not bring confusion among ourselves or the audience we serve.
There should be a process where they will go by. You can’t just go and close down someone’s FM. I think it should be a laid down procedure to exhaust the grievance procedures,” Daniel, a resident of Adabraka suggested.
Some of the respondents also appealed to the National Media Commission to resolve the issues.
”The National Media Commission, the Ghana Journalists Association, we heard are engaging the Chiefs. They should impress upon them to avoid creating a scenario for copy-cat-ism,” according to Justice, also a resident of Adabraka.
“I am not supporting anybody. I am appealing to the Chiefs and the Elders of that community to exercise restraint to arrive at an amicable solution,” added Daniel, a passenger on the Adabraka route.
Meanwhile, the Ghana Journalists Association is meeting with the Traditional Council to resolve the issues amicably.
