THE ASANTEHENE, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has strongly condemned the death threats that were recently issued against some judges in the country by some National Democratic Congress (NDC) activists during a radio programme in Accra.
He stated that it is totally wrong for anyone to sit on radio and threaten the life of another person, expressing outrage and concern over how the media, especially radio, was being abused – an occurrence which poses threat to security.
Otumfuo stated that radio and the media in general, ideally, are supposed to inform, educate and entertain the public so as to ensure peaceful co-existence and unity that would lead to rapid national transformation.
The Asantehene observed with pain that the ethics of radio had been thrown into the gutters lately, as all unwanted things such as death threats, insults and insinuations always dominate radio talk shows.
He therefore, admonished players in the media industry to always ensure that the ethics of the journalism profession are jealously upheld.
Otumfuo was speaking when award-winning broadcast journalist, Kwame Adinkra, led the staff of Abusua FM – a newly opened radio station which is making strong waves in Kumasi – paid a courtesy call on him on Wednesday.
The Ashanti monarch also expressed concern about the current situation whereby the media only dedicate much of their airtime and space for politicians and ignore people who are making positive impact in other critical areas of the economy.
According to him, some prominent Ghanaians are making strong impact in society in the areas of medicine, engineering, agriculture, academia, among others, “but sadly such people and their activities are not given prominence by the media.”
Otumfuo admonished the Abusua FM crew, especially Kwame Adinkra, who won the 2015 RTP Radio Morning Show Host of the Year award, to make sure that his programmes are issues-based and devoid of insults.
Kwame Adinkra commended the Asantehene for his wise counsel, assuring the king that he would make sure that his programmes are issues-based and civil.
FROM I.F. Joe Awuah Jnr., Kumasi