Ban radio phone-in after Supreme Court verdict — Forum

Media personnel and representatives of the two main political parties have suggested a one-week suspension of radio phone in programmes after the Supreme Court verdict.

At a forum organised by the Central Regional Police Command, the representatives also stressed the need for the media to ensure that no phone-in programmes were held within the period to prevent inflaming passions on the airwaves.

The forum was attended by media personnel and representatives of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

Mr Paul Ofori Amanfo, a presenter on ATL FM, said phone-in programmes were very sensitive, and that comments and innuendos on such programmes could incite people to violence.

The Regional Police Commander, Mr Ransford Ninson, said suspension of phone-in programmes would greatly help the police in their efforts to ensure peace after the verdict.

Mr Ninson said it behoved the leadership of the NDC and NPP to talk to their foot soldiers and supporters not to involve themselves in any form of violence or demonstrations after the judgment.

He indicated that it was also crucial for the media to be circumspect in their reportage in both the newspapers and on airwaves, saying that the genocide in Rwanda was largely due to media comments.

“Ghana is the only nation we have. If we run to any other country, we will become refugees. It is our responsibility, therefore, to ensure that we do not create such a situation for ourselves,” he admonished.

Mr Ninson warned that any person or group of persons found to disrupt the peace of the area would be dealt with accordingly.

“Let me assure you that the police and the sister security agencies are poised and fully prepared to maintain law and order after the verdict,” he said, adding that any attempt to cause confusion anywhere would be met with the appropriate force and those found to be involved made to face the full rigours of the law.

The Regional Secretary of the NPP, Mr Kwamena Duncan, stated that the NPP was fully committed to the nation’s peace and underlined the fact that the law was supreme and would ensure that its supporters did nothing to disrupt the peace in the country.

The Regional Propaganda Secretary of the NDC, Nana Osibi Quansah, also pledged on behalf of the NDC to work to maintain the peace, saying the party would not support anyone found to have erred during the period.

The Acting Central Regional Director of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation, Mr Stephen Debrah, cautioned the media to ensure circumspection to avoid possible violence.

By Shirley Asiedu-Addo/Daily Graphic/Ghana


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