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NPP executives ‘clash’ over plans to close down local radio station

Radio Microphone file photo

Tue, 26 Sep 2017 Source: mynewsgh.com

Some members and executives of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Bole District of the Northern Region, are on a collision course over plans to close down a local radio station, Nkiligi Fm.

A section of the party members and executives, on one hand, insist the operations of the station is skewed towards favoring the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) and a counter group from the same party disagrees.

But constituency Chairman, Sulemana Zakaria has cautioned his party against muting the idea indicating that it will bring chaos and instability into town which is currently very peaceful.

According to him, Bole already has a fragile peace because of chieftaincy issues appealing to government not to do anything that will be inimical to the situation.

Two individuals belonging to the NPP in Bole- Bamboi Constituency, Abudulai Harisu and Saaka Dinona have issued separate press releases calling on the National Communication Authority (NCA) to investigate alleged illegal operation of the radio station (Nkilgi FM) in Bole.

According to the NPP activists, the radio station which is managed by one Mahama Haruna, a former NPP activist and a relation of former President John Dramani Mahama is into personal attacks of notable political figures.

The two allege that when the late Bolewura died, the Radio station created an impression as if there was a dispute in Bole and so the Regional Security Council (REGSEC) brought in military and police personnel to Bole even though there is no problem in Bole since the passing on of the late Bolewura who is the head of the traditional area.

They also said the Radio station select some particular newspaper headlines to read on their morning show, skewing them to the advantage of the NDC and that the likes of Deputy Chief of Staff Abu Jinapor and Minister of Gender Otiko Afisah Djaba are been insulted on daily basis because they are Gonjas but are not supporting former President John Dramani Mahama.

But the NPP Chairman for Bole- Bamboi said his government should avoid the situation in which it will be accused of stifling the free flow of information across the western part of Gonja especially the countryside where people rely on Nkilgi FM for news, information, education, and entertainment. He said the two individuals cannot speak for the NPP in Bole- Bamboi because they are not executives.

“We wish to state categorically that; as party leaders, we have no knowledge of any press release and therefore disassociates ourselves from it”, the NPP Chairman said.

When mynewsgh.com spoke to the General Manager of Nkilgi FM, Mahama Haruna he said some people are doing everything possible to give them problems because their journalism shows what is really going on.

According to him, they have gone behind narratives of the authorities to bring out the truth behind the news in their part of the world.

“I know those two people can use political power to close down Nkilgi FM but it is not because we don’t have a license. Maybe they don’t want people to know the truth behind certain stories or they just want Bole people and our listeners to be in darkness; he alleged

According to Mr Haruna, the radio station brought a difference as a truly localized radio station, with a mission to report the human interest stories that were otherwise ignored; to cover events which are developing centred; and to hold those in power to account.

“We will continue to do our job with integrity. We will continue to be courageous in the pursuit of the truth. And we will continue to respect people’s rights to be heard”, he added.

Source: mynewsgh.com