The Ghana Journalists Association, (GJA) says its taking steps to engage the Kumasi Traditional Council to address the decision by the Council to shut down Kumasi-based Oyerepa FM.
According to the two bodies, this is in line with the commitment of the GJA to explore all avenues, including dialogue, to resolve the matter.
In a statement signed by the General Secretary, Kofi Yeboah, the association said it has quickly arranged to dispatch a delegation to Kumasi on Friday, August 26, 2022, to meet with the traditional Council and management of the radio station, but the delegation was advised to reschedule the mission to Monday, August 29, 2022, which is considered to be an appropriate time to meet with the traditional Council.
The statement continued, the GJA has been monitoring events in the past two days regarding the shutdown and is deeply concerned about the action taken by the Kumasi Traditional Council, which has the tendency to erode the gains of the country’s democracy. It added that, in compliance with the directive, Oyerepa FM has suspended its operations as a show of remorse towards the traditional authorities.
According to the Association, it believes that though the traditional authorities may have been disturbed by the comments made by Akwasi Addai also known as Odike on the station, they could have used other means to address the matter than one that disturbs the nation’s democracy and press freedom.
The statement further added that though the media and chieftaincy have critical roles to play in national development, the Constitution has made elaborate provisions for the operations of the two institutions with the view to encourage them to use their respective powers to promote national development.
The GJA is, however, worried about recent developments whereby traditional authorities descend on the media. The statement, therefore, admonishes media practitioners and institutions to exhibit high professional standards and be circumspect in the discharge of their duties particularly in discussing the matter at stake.
In another statement, the National Media Commission, NMC, says it is engaging the traditional leaders in Kumasi to find an amicable solution to the impasse between the two parties.
The Executive Secretary of the NMC, George Sarpong, in an interview with the GNA, said as a constitutionally mandated Institution tasked with the responsibility of settling such cases, engaging the feuding parties is critical in addressing the impasse.
Mr.Sarpong said the Commission would only make any public pronouncement ”after all issues are ironed out and a solution found”.
At a Kumasi Traditional Council meeting on Thursday, August 25, 2022, the managers of Oyerepa FM, were asked to temporarily suspend operations and apologise to the Manhyia Palace, for allowing the founder of the United Progressive Party (UPP), Akwasi Addai Odike to use its medium to “defame” Chiefs in Asanteman and the Asantehene.
The meeting by the Kumasi Traditional Council was presided over by the Bantamahene, Baffour Asare Owusu Amankwatia VI.
The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu, is not in town, as he has travelled outside the country.
Among the conditions set by the Kumasi Traditional Council in relation to the resolution of the issue is for the media house to temporarily suspend operations and properly appear before it with an apology.
Reports indicate that Oyerepa FM stopped operations on Friday, August 26, 2022, in compliance with the directives from the Council.
The directive comes barely a month after Ada-based FM station in the Greater Accra Region, Radio Ada, was banned by the Ada Traditional Council from covering this year’s Asafotufiami festival.
By Vincent Kubi