The National Media Commission (NMC) has warned Accra-based Onua FM against broadcaster Captain Smart’s call for an insurrection in the country.
On his morning show on Onua TV, Captain Smart is reportedly heard allegedly inciting the Ghana Armed Forces against Members of Parliament and also calling on them to stage an uprising.
“Where we have reached, we require an uprising with a positive defiance. I am even shocked at Ghana’s soldiers. You can enter Parliament when MPs are being sworn in but when MPs are fooling, you can’t enter Parliament. Everybody is quiet in this country,” he chanted.
A letter signed by the Executive Secretary of the NMC, Mr George Sarpong, dated Thursday, 2 December 2021, and addressed to the company’s CEO, condemned Captain Smart’s comments as “unprofessional” and “inciteful” broadcasting.
“Part of your broadcast raises concern for the peace and security of the country in a manner that demands immediate regulatory action”, the statement which is reproduced in full below, said.
The Commission is asking the radio station to “take steps to bring your content unto a level of professional acceptability.”
The latest report in the media has it that Captain Smart has been arrested.
Reports suggest that he was picked up about an hour ago awaiting to be handed over to the Police for further interrogation and the appropriate charges slapped on him.
Read full letter below:
December 2, 2021
The Chief Executive Officer
Onua Fm
Accra
UNPROFESSIONAL AND INCITEFUL BROADCAST
Part of your broadcast raises concern for the peace and security of the country in a manner that demands immediate regulatory action.
We are particularly concerned about a recent broadcast in which “Captain Smart” calls for insurrection against the state of Ghana and its institutions.
This, by all standards, crosses the line of robust and critical broadcasting and transforms your radio station into a megaphone of war.
While that particular broadcast, without more, constitutes adequate grounds for regulatory action, we still retain the belief that given the chance, management could take steps to bring your content unto a level of professional acceptability. We are fortified in this belief by the fact that considerable parts of your other broadcast, including the news, offer that hope.
We would be glad if you noted that exercising the required professional caution is in your interest.
Yours faithfully,
George Sarpong
Executive Secretary
Cc:
1. The President
Ghana Journalists’ Association
Accra
2. The President
Ghana Independent Broadcasters’ Association
Accra
3. The President
Private Newspaper Publishers’ Association
Accra
4. The media
