Ghanaian politician and businessman Akwasi Addai Odike sparked controversy on Wednesday during a live broadcast on Angel 102.9 FM in Accra, when he declared he would back any soldier who seized power, only to walk back the remarks after sustained pushback from the programme’s host.
“The way Ghana is going, if any soldier decides to take up arms, I will support the person. I have said it, and anyone who does not like it can have me arrested,” Odike said on air. He insisted the comment did not constitute treason, arguing he had not personally pledged to stage a coup.
The programme’s host, Saddick Adams, challenged Odike and urged him to retract the statement, citing its implications for Ghana’s democratic order. Odike resisted initially, accusing Adams of double standards by allowing others to speculate about public support for a coup without similar scrutiny.
Adams promptly distanced the Angel Broadcasting Network (ABN) and the production team from the remarks during the broadcast. After a prolonged exchange, Odike withdrew his comments, though he indicated the withdrawal came only because he was pressed to do so.
Odike, founder of the Union Government movement, has a history of sharp political commentary, but Wednesday’s remarks drew an immediate on-air rebuke from the broadcaster and reignited debate about the boundaries of political speech in Ghana.
