Some Kusasis call out SOURCE 101.1 FM for cowardly retraction and apology for distasteful insult of Bawku Mamprusis

Source101.1 FM, who Sources say is owned by a Kusasi businessman, did the unthinkable in Bawku but professionally appropriate, when it issued a “DISCLAIMER” to a local language news bulletin on its network.

Signed by one Edward Anabia on 3rd February, 2022, a statement from Management of the station indicated that it had noted that a 6:30 pm news bulletin on their network on 2nd February, 2022 was “unethical and uncharacteristic of (their) carefully built brand.”

Whilst disassociating the network from the unprofessional conduct of their staff and apologising for the regrettable blib, the Management indicated its position on the matter as follows:

(1).The said news item was not sanctioned by the Management or the News Editor.

(2). The said staff has already been sanctioned for his unprofessional conduct.

(3). Management renders an unqualified apology to our listeners and any person(s) who might have been affected by the airing of the news item.

(4). We wish to assure the general public of our commitment to building and sustaining the peace in the area.

Background checks for reason(s) for the DISCLAIMER”

I did background checks for the reasons for Source FM’s DISCLAIMER and I got the following findings from S&As in Bawku, Nalerigu and Bolgatanga:

(1). A young man named Bruce from Tempane in the Upper East Region was central to the controversial Source 101.1 FM’s 6.30 pm local news bulletin on 2nd February, 2022.

(2). The said Bruce was alleged to be a a final year student of the Nalerigu Nursing Training College.

(3). The said Bruce was alleged to have secretly recorded a meeting between the NAYIRI and his sub-Chiefs at the Mampugru overlord’s palace on 31st January, 2022. It was alleged that the meeting discussed Bawku Affairs.

(4). The said Bruce was allegedly beaten up by some persons who later sent him to the Nayiri’s palace where a mob allegedly gathered demanding that “his blood should flow.”

(5). Elders of the NAYIRI’s palace allegedly declined to allow the said Bruce to be killed, and the Police were invited, and who allegedly “aided his rescue/escape.”

(5). The said Bruce was allegedly whisked to Bolgatanga where he narrated the incident on phone to some of his Kusasi friends.

(6). The said Bruce’s narration was allegedly recorded and circulated widely on Kusasis (Kusaas) WhatsApp platforms.

(6). Following what was deemed to be “hot news,” the Kusaal News Presenter interviewed the said Bruce live on the 6.30 pm local news bulletin on Source 101.1 FM on 2nd February, 2022.

(7). During the interview, the said Bruce referred to Mamprusis in Bawku as MONKEYS!!

(8). The news bulletin is said to have caused some disquiet among some irascible residents of Bawku and its environs.

(9). A yet to be independently confirmed account from a Source in Bolgatanga who is a Fafra, indicated that Kusasis (Kusaas) call Bawku Mamprusis MONKEYS! And Bawku Mamprusis also call Kusasis (Kusaas) PIGS! The name callings according to the Source are deemed to be very offensive by both rival Bawku ethnic groups.

Attacks on the Management of Source 101.1 FM

Some Kusasis (Kusaas) have widely condemned as cowardly the “DISCLAIMER” issued by the Management of Source 101.1 FM as cowardly, and a sell out by a stationed owned by a prominent Kusasi businessman.

Tongues are lashing out at worst, distasteful, incendiary comments on Bawku FM, which have gone unsanctioned by the National Communication Authority and the National Media Commission. And so, there was no need for the Management of Source FM to issue a DISCLAIMER and sanction its “bold and brave staff.”

Other dovish Kusasis (Kusaas) opined that they support the Management of the Source FM for promptly issuing a “DISCLAIMER.”

A young Intellectual told me that that “Source FM can’t allow its carefully built reputation to go down the drain. It can not be measured by the standards of Bawku FM, which is the Radio Rwanda of Bawku and its environs.”

Suggestions to State Security

Freedom of Speech is enshrined in the Constitution of Ghana. However, in the context of the Bawku conflict, people must be cautioned to be sensitive to the prevailing fluid and volatile security situation, and must be responsible, prudent and measured in expressing themselves on traditional and social media.

I have been physically present to witness the first, second and third waves of the recent Bawku conflict; before the imposition of curfew on 14th November, 2021, through the Samanpid festival of 29th December, 2021, and the gun battles of 23rd January, 2022, and the partial and total ban on riding of motorbikes on 10th January, 2022, and 23rd January, 2022, respectively.

I have been an eye- and ear -witness to the State Security deployments, especially the transitions from Military/Police mop up and reinforcement, to restoration of security, peace and calm in Bawku.

It is my expectation that the risks taken, the hard work put in, and the successes achieved by the State Security personnel will not be allowed to be compromised by non- kinetic warfare of civilian actors in Bawku in the name of free speech!

I am aware that the Upper East REGSEC met representatives of Media organisations from Bawku and its environs on 30th November, 2021. The REGSEC advised the media to be circumspect in its reportage and cautioned that it would deal drastically according to law with any media organisation whose activities would compromise the peace and security of Bawku and its environs.

Since that day, REGSEC and listeners of radio stations in Bawku and its environs have been aware of the broadcasts of a particular Bawku radio station which continue to inflame passions as if there is no tomorrow.

Will State Security consult the National Communication Authority, the National Media Commission and the Ghana Journalists Association to do the needful in Bawku and its environs?

Finally, I repeat my suggestion that State Security must urgently do a risk assessment on the Upper East Regional Minister and depending on its findings recommend to President Akufo Addo to re-assign him. The Government will be better served in resolving issues in Bawku by a Regional Minister appointed from outside the Kusasi and Mamprusi ethnic group.

The Regional Minister is a Kusasi and MP for Binduri, an adjoining District to Bawku. While I don’t have any reasonable cause to question his competence, I can state emphatically that this nice and affable Regional Minister risks being shot dead if he ventures anywhere near Bawku with or without security.

The last time I noticed his presence in Bawku, he was surrendered by tight security marshalled by the GOC Northern Command, Brig-General Aryee, and the UER Police Commander, DCOP Dr Sayibu Gariba, at the Samanpid festival on 29th December, 2021.

You want to know how I managed to get such Intel?

Without wearing any bullet proof vests, helmet, and other protective gear, and without carrying any gun, I managed to keep my ears on the ground as I risked to monitor social life and State Security deployments in every suburb of Bawku!

I shall return.

Owula Mangortey
Bolgatanga
5th February, 2022