Ghana Elections 2012 : Group calls for revocation of licences of radio stations inciting hate, violence

A pressure group Forum for Governance and Justice (FGJ) on Wednesday condemned the "reckless ethnocentric comments" by Mr Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, MP for Assin North, and asked the National Communication Authority (NCA) to consider revoking licences of radio stations which incite people to violence according to GNA

    "In condemning the utterances of Kennedy Agyapong, the FGJ calls on the National Peace Council, Christian Council of Ghana, the Muslim Council, all faith-based organisations as well as civil society and human rights organisations to join us in asking the National Communication Authority (NCA) to consider the revocation of the licenses of radio stations which incite people to violence," it said in a statement issued in Accra and signed by Dr Clement A. Apaak, Convener of FGJ.

    "We make this call based on the fact that some Accra-based radio stations were actively inciting people and being used to mobilise party supporters in Accra as well as other regions of Ghana to invade the Police Headquarters, where Kennedy Agyapong was being questioned by the Police CID. Such radio stations are a danger to our national peace and stability."     FGJ recalled the 1994 genocide in Rwanda which was largely enhanced by radio stations.

    "Prior to the genocide, radio stations were used to dehumanise potential victims. During the genocide, radio was used by extremists to mobilise and coordinate killings," the group said.    It said comments of the MP could not be defended under any circumstance.   "Declaring war and calling on people of one ethnic group to harm people from other ethnic groups is genocidal and should not be tolerated.

   "Yet, we must not just focus on his insensitive comments, for which he should be duly held accountable; we must also take action against media outlets, especially radio stations, which have developed the worrying habit of abusing the right to free speech. This right, which includes freedom of the press and other media, should not be used to promote hate speech and to incite violence."  FGJ said as a people, we must reject the promotion of violence by any persons or entities, including media outlets now.