Ashanti Region: GJA to meet Kumasi Traditional Council following Oyerepa FM shutdown

The Kumasi Traditional Council’s most recent order to shut down Oyerepa FM/TV has prompted the Ashanti Region branch of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) to organize a meeting with the council.

The order was issued on Thursday, August 25, in reaction to the station having granted an interview to Akwasi Addai Odike, the founder of the United Progressive Party (UPP) and a candidate for president in 2012

Before coming to the Council to apologize, the Council instructed the media company to stop operations.

Odike had engaged in battle with the chiefs of the Ashanti kingdom, claiming that the Asantehene was involved in unlawful mining operations nearby. He was ostracised, as a result.

Oyerepa FM, the station on which he made the allegation, upon sensing the anger of Manhyia, the seat of the Ashanti Kingdom, paid a courtesy call to offer apologies.

It was at that meeting that the Council ordered the shutdown of the station.

But the GJA President in the Ashanti Region Kingsley Hope would rather the Council petitioned the National Media Commission (NMC).

“We respect our traditional leaders and decisions they take but we are in a democratic dispensation and we would rather the National Media Commission was petitioned,” he said.

“Two wrongs cannot bring peace, so GJA is appealing to Nananom to temper justice with mercy.”