A tale of two Ghana’s in one radio country
Last week was a curious week for me; two worlds representing two cultures existed within one polity with clear blue daylight between the two.
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For purposes of telling this tale, let us distinguish between these two worlds by giving them different names. Let us call them “Political Ghana” and “Traditional Ghana” although those labels do not fit neatly.
I spent part of the week at the funeral of the late Okuapehene Oseadeeyo Addo Dankwa 111 at Akropong Akuapem and part of it in Accra.
Accra and Akropong are not far from each other and the two invented cultures are not geographically demarcated, but in a way Accra symbolises the world of Political Ghana while I experienced Traditional Ghana last week at Akropong.
If we must assign addresses, Political Ghana lives mostly in the media, especially broadcasting where it has laid siege ever since media plurality was granted under the 1992 Constitution.
Last week, political Ghana was convulsed by an ugly volley of insults let off by a Member of Ghana’s Parliament at a radio presenter who many say is far from being a paragon of professional virtue.
On the other hand, the Traditional World was alive and kicking at Akropong Akuapem where the best of Ghana’s culture was on display. I am not referring to the aesthetics of the splendid show that was the Okuapehene’s funeral but the level of organisational efficiency, friendliness and tolerance demonstrated at the event by its organisers, hosts and guests alike.
While the two main political parties squabbled on radio in Political Ghana, their leaders were accorded equally enthusiastic receptions at Traditional Ghana.
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The people of Akuapem received all guests with equal enthusiasm and civility. These guests included politicians from all political parties including President Mahama, former Presidents Rawlings and Kufuor; the NPP’s Nana Akufo Addo and his running mate Alhaji Dr Bawumia, the CPP’s Mr Greenstreet, the NDC’s Mr Asiedu Nketia and many more.
Here is the interesting observation. Virtually, the same people who hailed President Mahama also gave Nana Akuffo Addo the same tumultuous welcome. I mean the SAME people.
I observed them with clinical interest and it is clear that this welcome was a cultural rather than a political act. The point was to make all guests, especially VIPs, feel valued and welcome.
The same people, especially the women, would hail one leader and repeat the dose for the next one and on and on. It was beautiful.
Of course, this is an election year and some people tried to mar the beauty of the occasion by flying party flags but that was not the prevalent mood. Partisan politics was consigned downstairs while the famed hospitality and tolerance of Ghanaians rose to the fore. Traditional Ghana was at peace with itself.
Let us contrast that with what was happening in the neighbouring state of “Political Ghana” where the talk was of Mr Kennedy Agyapong and Miss Afia Schwarzenegger who had fouled God’s air by way of insults in all directions – on radio.
Even in our feverish political terrain, the honourable MP’s outbursts went far beyond what any civilised society can and should tolerate.
Mr Agyapong is not only a Member of Parliament but also the owner of radio stations which regularly promote a political party. The story of the MP and his radio station is part of the wider narrative of how our democracy, especially freedom of speech, is fast becoming an albatross around our collective necks.
It is a fascinating journey. Once upon a time, many years ago, Ghana had two main radio stations named very predictably Radio One and Radio Two. They were both part of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation’s stable which included the country’s sole television station.
The 1992 Constitution changed all that and positively promoted independent and free media in the country. Even so it took a few years and a major court decision to embolden private entrepreneurs to get on board the media train.
Since then, the story has been one of rapid growth. We have more than 300 radio stations and 30 television stations.
Political Ghana appears to thrive on anger, abuse, disagreement, corruption and resentment. It is a dog-eat-dog world of self-interest and self-promotion where, as the saying goes, we know the price of everything but not their value.
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Back to the Mountains, an enormous drama was taking place and going very well without a script. That is a fascinating fact. Before the latest one, the last funeral for an Okuapehene who died on the throne had taken place about 70 years ago. This means that only a very small number of people involved last week’s funeral were alive, let alone taken part seven decades ago.
Now, when you consider that the funeral of an Omanhene (paramount ruler) involves thousands of active participants who have to play hundreds of different roles around the clock for months, it is a stupendous achievement that things worked like clockwork.
The centre of Akropong town and its labyrinthine streets were overwhelmed but there was not a single accident of any sort.
The virtues of the Akuapem royal funeral are not exclusive to the Ofie Mountains. This is the same kind of situation you would find across the country in similar circumstances.
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Traditional Ghana is truly a remarkable place full of enthusiastic, hopeful, kind and hospitable people.
Sadly, the world of Political Ghana is devoid of celebration, and as I said, even our vibrant media scene is now perceived as a negative element. How did we arrive at this sad perception?
Well consider this: when you mix a winner-takes-all election system with a weak or nonexistent broadcasting field, the inevitable result is a broadcast system dominated by powerful interests either for money or power, but most likely for both.
The point is this: after years of military rule and dictatorship, this country has opted for democracy. Part of the deal is our beloved freedom of expression and unfettered media. In the main, we are reaping the benefits of our free media but the bad apple in the barrel appears to be POLITICS.
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The abuse of the airwaves is not primarily the result of bad journalism but the continuation of politics by any means necessary.
How long can we go on living in a contradictory world of Political Ghana versus Traditional Ghana? We need to answer this question for the answer is our choice.
(gapenteng@outlook.com)