The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) and the National Media Commission (NMC) are set to engage the traditional leaders in Kumasi and management of Kumasi-based Oyerepa FM/TV to find amicable solution to the impasse between the two parties.
According Mr George Sarpong, the Executive Secretary of the Commission, as a constitutionally mandated Institution tasked with the responsibility of settling such cases, engaging the feuding parties was critical in addressing the impasse.
“The Constitution mandates us as a Commission to investigate, mediate and settle all complaints made against or by the press or other mass media, and so that’s what we are doing, engaging the two parties involved to find solution to the issue,” he said.
Mr Sarpong said the Commission would only make any public pronouncement after all issues were ironed out and a solution found.
“When such issues happen, people begin to ask the whereabouts of the NMC, but we cannot pass a judgement without hearing from the parties involved. That will amount to prejudice,” he said.
The Association in a press release signed by Mr Kofi Yeboah, its General Secretary, said the meeting was in line with GJA’s commitment to explore all avenues, including dialogue, to resolve the matter.
According to the statement: “Following the break of the news on the shutdown directed at Oyerepa FM by the Kumasi Traditional Council, the GJA quickly arranged to dispatch a delegation to Kumasi today, Friday, August 26, 2022, to meet with the Traditional Council and management of the Radio Station.”
“However, the delegation was advised to reschedule the mission to Monday, which is considered to be an appropriate time to meet the Traditional Council,” it added.
The GJA said it had been monitoring events regarding the shutdown, saying, it had the tendency to erode the gains of the country’s fledgling democracy.
The GJA stressed that the chiefs could have used other means to address the matter than one that disturbed the nation’s democracy and press freedom.
The Association said it was worried about recent development in, which traditional authorities were “descending heavily” on the media.
“We wish to underline the fact that the Media and chieftaincy have a critical role to play in national development, and rightly so, the 1992 Constitution has made elaborate provisions for the operations of two institutions with the view to encouraging them to use their respective powers to promote national development,” it said.
The Association admonished 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.
The Kumasi Traditional Council on Thursday, August 25, 2022, asked managers of Kumasi-based, Oyerepa to temporarily suspend operations and apologise to the Manhyia Palace, for allowing the founder of the United Progressive Party (UPP), Mr AKwasi Addai Odike to use their medium to “defame” chiefs in Asanteman and the Asantehene.
Reports indicate that Oyerepa FM stopped operations on Friday, August 26, 2022, in compliance with the directives from the Council.
GNA