The Manhyia Palace – the seat of the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II – has closed down Oyerepa Radio, a private station operating in the Ashanti Region.
The station, according to the acting president of the Kumasi Traditional Council, who also doubles as Bantamahene, Baffour Amankwatia VI, must suspend operations effective Friday 26 August 2022 for allowing the founder and leader of the United Progressive Party (UPP), Akwasi Addai ‘Odike’ to use their airwaves to berate the chiefs.
Amankwatia VI gave the orders when a delegation from Oyerepa Radio and TV appeared before the traditional council to render an apology over the comments made by Odike.
Odike incurred the wrath of the Manhyia Palace after he criticized Ashanti Chiefs of failing to end the illegal mining menace in the Ashanti Region.
Speaking on Oyerepa Radio, Akwasi Addai unequivocally criticised chiefs for failing to help end the ‘galamsey’ menace.
He charged the youth to rise up and demonstrate against chiefs if the traditional rulers fail to come clear on their roles in or stance against illegal mining.
But his comment was described as distasteful and unsubstantiated, meant to dent the image of Manhyia.
Some chiefs of the Kumasi Traditional Council on Friday performed rituals and slaughtered a ram to ostensibly banish Odike from Manhyia.
The chiefs consider the words of Odike as disrespectful hence he should have no business at Manhyia.