MFWA cites 17 personalities for using indecent language on radio

The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) has cited 17 personalities of political parties for making indecent expressions on radio, the Foundation’s electoral campaign language monitoring, reports for September 30 – October 6, revealed.

A copy of the report made available to the Ghana News Agency in Accra on Friday signed by Professor Kwame Karikari MFWA's Executive Director named the personalities as; Mr. Kennedy Agyapong, the NPP MP for Assin North for making offensive or insulting remarks on his own radio station, Oman FM, during the station’s Boiling Point programme of October 4.

Others are Mr. Charles Boakye of the NPP during Royals FM’s Adekyea Mu Nsem programme of October 4; Mr. Kakra Asamoah of the NDC during Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen programme of October 1; Mr. Agbesi Nutsu of the NDC during Hot FM’s Maakye programme of October 2; and Mr. Donkor Fuseini, a member of the NDC communication team in the Ashanti region during Hot FM’s Maakye programme of October 3.

Mr. Kofi Wayo, the Founder of the URP was captured during Radio Gold’s Newspaper Review segment of the Gold Power Drive of October 5; and Mr. Kwabena Sarpong of the NPP during Oman FM’s National Agenda programme of October 3.

Personalities captured for making unsubstantiated allegations are; Mr. Emmanuel Acquah, Western Regional NPP Communications Director during Skyy Power FM’s Oman Ghana programme of September 30; Mr. Kennedy Agyapong, the NPP MP for Assin North on his own radio station, Oman FM, during the station’s Boiling Point programme of October 4; and Mr. David Osei of the NPP during Angel FM’s Platform programme of October 1.

Others are; Mr. Abdul Rhaman (also known as Ohene Agyekum), an NPP supporter during Classic FM’s Kokrokoo programme of October 3; An NPP supporter by name Shaibu Kizaa during Classic FM’s Kokrokoo programme of October 3; and Mr. Solomon Nkansah, Deputy Propaganda Secretary of the NDC during Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem programme of October 3.

On Provocative remarks, the MFWA captured Mr. Asamoah Gyamfi, a member of the NPP communication team during Hot FM’s Maakye programme of October 3; Mr. Samuel George, member of government's communication team during Citi FM’s Big Issue programme of October 6; and Mr. Kennedy Agyapong, the NPP MP for Assin North on his own radio station, Oman FM, during the station’s Boiling Point of October 4.

On Divisive Comment; Mr. David Osei of the NPP during Angel FM’s Platform programme of October 1 was captured.

The MFWA also named ten radio stations for allowing their network to be used for the indecent expressions. Oman FM registered the highest number five of indecent expressions followed by Angel FM three and Hot FM three.

The details of the expressions recorded on each of the 10 radio stations are:

Radio Stations by Expressions Used

Radio Station	Expressions Used
	Insulting/ Offensive Comments	Unsubst. Allegations	Provocative Remarks	Divisive Comments	Total
Oman FM	3	1	1	0	5
Angel FM	0	2	0	1	3
Hot FM	2	0	1	0	3
Classic FM	0	2	0	0	2
Radio Gold	2	0	0	0	2
Adom FM	0	1	0	0	1
Asempa FM	1	0	0	0	1
Citi FM	0	0	1	0	1
Royals FM	1	0	0	0	1
Skyy Power FM	0	1	0	0	1
Total	9	7	3	1	20

According to MFWA increasing usage of indecent expressions on Oman FM, Angel FM and Classic FM is disturbing and needs to be addressed by the management, editorial boards and programme producers of these radio stations.

The MFWA is calling on the National Media Commission (NMC) and the Ghana Independent Broadcasters Association (GIBA) to complement efforts being made to have a more professional media that contribute positively to the peace and democratization processes of the country.

The MFWA also urges the Ghanaian electorates to seriously consider making their voting decisions based on the substance of the issues being raised by the various political parties and candidates, and reject parties and candidates who focus on insults, personality attacks and other comments that do not bode well for the peace of the country.

The monitoring of campaign language on radio is a project of the MFWA funded by STAR-Ghana. The project is aimed at contributing to ensuring issues-based and decent language campaigning in this year’s elections.

It involves daily monitoring of campaign language/expressions by politicians and activists on specific programmes on 31 selected radio stations across the country.