Ghana sports journalism and drug use

By Kwame Osae

This week witnessed the lowest point for sports journalism in Ghana when Asempa FM's energetic sports presenter Patrick Osei Agyemang or Countryman Songo was arrested for possession of narcotic drugs.

The incredible display of hubris and daring, for him to be caught in the act just across the street from the Nima Police Station, mirrors the way he has presented his sports programme 'Fire for Fire' which is also aired live on Joy TV.

Reading the comments on the websites of when the news broke of a sports journalist being arrested in possession of narcotic drugs even though his name was not mentioned, it was clear to the overwhelming majority that it was 'Countryman Songo'. This does not suggest he is guilty.

But this is because there is the long held suspicion that the energy with which the 'Fire for Fire' programme is presented must be drug-fuelled.

The name of the programme is also suggestive which might have formed the long-held suspicion as Songo is consistently called the fireman. What was he lightening up?

But the most shocking thing about this arrest is that that key debates on how sports policy of Ghana could be fuelled by the use of narcotic drugs. It is therefore not surprising that apart from football, sports is in disarray in Ghana.

From what we have known this week, it would be right - like all other sportsmen - for sports journalists in Ghana to be subjected to doping tests before their programmes.

That is because some of the comments made on some sports programmes in the country and allegations are sometimes unbelievable and libelous yet these so-called journalists make them.

It is now not suprising that on the 'Fire for Fire' programme all ethics and principles of journalism are thrown out of the window. Cack-handed comments, libelous statements, lies and the perpetration of conspiracy theories is the order of the day.

Some of Countryman Songo's programmes are sometimes sickening and one wonders whether there were any editors to monitor the output of the programme. There are decent and educative sports programmes on Asempa like their morning show but at noon when Songo takes over the ethics of journalism departs.

Even when no one sued the station for some of the outrageous remarks made on the programme, wasn't it resting upon the editors to check and correct some of the miseducation going on their station?

It is even more shocking that Multimedia, the respected owners of Asempa, Joy FM, Adom FM and many others, would look on unconcerned when a key presenter was shaping the country's key sports policies allegedly high on drugs.

Multimedia playing a blinder to the alleged use of drugs by its presenter shows that they are also to be held responsible if it is true that Songo used narcotic drugs before presenting his shows.

The Multimedia brand and its ethos as a Christian organisation have seriously been damaged by its perceived complicity in this matter.

Stan Dogbe was shown the door at Joy FM on a spurious rape allegation. Now we wait to see what Multimedia would in light of the fact that a presenter was caught by police with narcotic drugs and has been charged with the offence.

Sports fans and Ghanaians feel a sense of unease and helplessness at this revelation. The repercussions will surely reverberate for years.