The Upper East Regional Minister, Stephen Yakubu has described the closure of radio stations in the Bawku Municipality of the region as a move to combat hate speech and promote peace in the area.
It would be recalled that the National Communication Authority (NCA) on February 24, 2024 closed down four (4) radio stations in Bawku including Bawku FM, Source FM, Zahra FM, and Gumah FM on the advice of the Regional Security Council and the Ministry of National Security.
It was stated that the radio stations operated in a manner that fuelled the conflict through incendiary utterances of their panellists and presenters leading to the escalation of the conflict which has taken several lives and properties.
Speaking Wednesday at the regional parade to mark Ghana’s 67th Independence Day marked in the Upper East Regional Capital, Bolgatanga, the Regional Minister, Stephen Yakubu explained that the decision to shutdown the radio stations was to foster peace in Bawku.
According to him, the media remains a critical tool to Ghana’s democratic development and should therefore exhibit a great sense of professionalism.
Speaking at the event which was under theme; “Our Democracy, Our pride” the minister urged the media to promote decent commentary and peace.
“Our media landscape has been a critical tool to our democratic development. The media should therefore exhibit sense of professionalism in their reportage by encouraging decent commentary that’s informative and educative. This is particularly very relevant in a region which is bedevilled with pockets of chieftaincy and land disputes and hate speech all of which could degenerate into genocide,” he stated.
“In recognition of this fact that the Regional Coordinating Council in collaboration with the National Communication Authority suspended 4 radio stations in Bawku Municipality as a measure to ensure peace in the area.
The role of the media can be likened to that of a town crier hence, you do not have to shout fire when there is none”.
He adds that the role of civil society organizations and development partners is crucial as he calls on Ghanaians to take part in the democratic process.
