Ace Ghanaian investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni has questioned the Kumasi Traditional Council over its decision to shut down Oyerepa Fm over comments Odike made on the station regarding the Asantehene and the galamsey menace.
Writing on Facebook, Manasseh questioned why the Council can exhibit power to the extent of banning a radio station yet cannot use that same power to ban illegal mining (galamsey) as requested by Odike.
The journalist passed his comments in reaction to the shutdown of Kumasi-based Oyerepa Fm today, Friday, August 26th 2022 on the orders of the Kumasi Traditional Council.
Manasseh wrote on Facebook: “Kumasi Traditional Council, the constitution provides remedies should the media defame you. You can sue, but you can’t shut down.
“I’m not calling for the Traditional Council to be disrespected. I know the power the chiefs have. It’s perhaps the reason Odike is asking why they’re not using that power to stop the galamsey that is destroying the future of their subjects. Even if Odike and the station are wrong, I respectfully disagree with the approach of the traditional council,”
Oyerepa FM/TV Shut Down
The private owned Oyerepa FM/TV has been shut down indefinitely effective today, August 26th 2022, on the order of the Kumasi Traditional Council.
The Traditional Council had requested the remedy as a condition to forgive leaders of the station for providing a platform to Akwasi Addai ‘Odike’ to attack them.
The politician and businessman in a viral rant attacked the chiefs of Kumasi, particularly the Asantehene, Otumfour Osei Tutu II, for doing little to curb the menace of galamsey.
“Offinsohene alone fought against galamsey until he died. But as soon as he died, they have taken over Offinso and its enclave. Otumfuo, all the divisions are under your watch. Is it good what is happening? You tend to dissociate yourself from the politicians, but you are active participants like we would not be in this position,” Odike fumed on Oyerepa.
“If Manhyia does not rise, I will stage a demonstration against you. The menace would not fester if you had nothing to do with it. I will mobilise the youth of Ashanti to register our displeasure because we have realised you are part of it.
“We have complained time without number, but when you have the opportunity to address it, you shift the blame on the politicians. That is not true; I am telling you today that Manhyia has something to do with it. Come out and explain how you cannot be said to be a part,” he raged.<br />“Soon, you will hear from me. I am coming to mobilise; if Manhyia does not condone it, go ahead and issue a statement that any chief caught in galamsey activities will be dealt with,” he said.
His comments enraged the Ashanti chiefs who accused him of fomenting rebellion and disrespecting their stools.
Following the uproar caused by his comments, the management of Oyerepa Fm visited the chiefs to apologise for providing Odike a platform to spew his comments.
The chiefs asked them to show contrition by apologising on-air and then shut down operations until the issue is resolved.
Source: theGhanaianVoice.Com
