August: NPP’s Chairman Wontumi tops abusive language on radio

The August edition of the Media Foundation for West Africa’s (MFWA) Language monitoring on Radio has cited the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the ruling NPP, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, also known as Chairman Wontumi, as the most abusive individual on radio.

Others were Hon. Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, MP for Assin Central and Mugabe Maase, host of Power FM’s Inside Politics. The NPP, and Kumasi-based Wontumi Radio recorded the highest incidents of indecent expressions.

Over the monitoring period (August 1-31), a total of 1,019 radio programmes were monitored on 15 selected radio stations across the country. The programmes included news bulletins, and political/current affairs discussions aired on the 15 radio stations. A total of 99 indecent expressions were recorded by 34 individuals. The 99 indecent expressions are made up of Insulting and Offensive comments; Unsubstantiated allegations; Threats; Provocative remarks; Expressions or Comments promoting Divisiveness. The 34 individuals who made the indecent expressions featured on the radio programmes as hosts, discussants/panelists, interviewees and callers.

The NPP recorded 50 indecent expressions, followed by the NDC with (9), the PPP (3) and the GCPP (2). The Ghana Freedom Party (GFP) and Liberal Party of Ghana (LPG) recorded 1 indecent expression each.

Twelve out of the 15 radio stations monitored recorded indecent expressions.

Kumasi-based Wontumi Radio recorded (34) indecent expressions on its morning show. Accra-based Oman FM recorded (28) indecent expressions on two of its major programmes – Boiling Point (24) and National Agenda (4).

Kumasi-based Ashh FM recorded (28) indecent expressions across three programmes – Boiling Point (24), Keynote (3) and National Agenda (1). Power FM also based in Accra, recorded 14 indecent expressions – all on its afternoon political show titled, Inside Politics.

The Elections Campaign language monitoring project seeks to promote issues-based campaigning and use of decent language/expression before, during and after Ghana’s 2020 elections. The project is also being implemented in Cote d’Ivoire and Niger with funding support from OSIWA.