Adakabre vrs. Akufo-Addo: What are the real issues?

It is perfectly within the right of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) or any other political party to refuse to participate in any radio or television program.

In fact, all political parties or Ghanaians have the right to boycott media platforms without good reason.

However the recent decision of the NPP to boycott political programs on “Neat FM” and “Okay Fm” raise important issues worthy of examination.

It is significant that in the press release announcing the boycott, the NPP did not accuse the two stations of fabrication of information.

The NPP also did not claim that the two stations have deliberately refused to give it the opportunity to state its side of the case.

Indeed, all the NPP states is that it is unhappy with the two stations because their ace presenters Adakabre and Tikese have over a period allowed their platforms to be used to denigrate the party and its flag bearer.

What can this mean?

In very simple language, this can only mean that the NPP does not like issues which are discussed on the Platforms and perhaps how they are discussed.

It also means that if the two stations will stop discussing issues which the NPP does not approve and which will not harm the image of its flag bearer, the party would end the boycott.

In a situation where there have not been any ethical violations, the use of boycott as a means of getting a media house to do the wishes of an institution or person can only amount to intimidation and bullying.

Since the confrontation between the NPP and the media houses broke out, Adakabre has alleged that Nana Akufo- Addo, the presidential candidate of the NPP abused him and that some supporters of Akufo- Addo threatened him with death.

Honourable Titus Glover, NPP Member of Parliament has denied the allegation and said that Nana Akufo- Addo only refused to shake the hands of Adakabre and said that he disapproves of his attempt to use his platform to denigrate him.

Under any custom refusing to shake anybody’s hands would be seen as snubbing.

Adakabre claims to have concrete evidence of the threats to his life and some sections of the public want to see it.

Did NPP chaps really threaten to kill Adakabre for making the NPP look bad?

Well, if this is proven it will amount to extraordinary intolerance on the part of political activists.

It is also claimed that Adakabre campaigned for one of the opponents of Nana Akufo-Addo in the NPP primaries, and that should explain his apparent dislike of Nana Akufo – Addo.

This is most interesting given the fact that Adakabre has always claimed to be CPP, and the legitimate question is what was a CPP man doing in the presidential primaries of the NPP.

In any case, there were many journalists and presenters who either openly or clandestinely campaigned for Nana Akufo- Addo in the NPP‘s presidential campaign.

Some or most of those journalists have also claimed to be CPP, PNC or some other contraption. Should their media platforms be treated the same way Okay and Neat FM’S are being treated by the NPP?

Finally, what are the issues which have been discussed on the political platforms of these two stations and why do they annoy the NPP and its leaders?

Could it be issues related to the suspension of some leaders of the NPP including Mr. Paul Afoko, the National Chairman?

Are we being told that Paul Afoko, Sammy Crabbe, and KwabenaAgyapong should not be given any space in the media?

These are the issues!