Media Coalition denies GH₵ 213,000 bribery allegation
The Media Coalition, comprising the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Ghana Independent Broadcasters Association (GIBA), Private Newspapers and Online Publishers Association of Ghana (PRINPAG), and New Media Association of Ghana (NMAG), has firmly denied allegations that it received GH₵ 213,000 from the Jubilee House to organize a press conference.
In a statement signed by the presidents of the four associations—Albert Dwumfour (GJA), Cecil Sunkwa-Mills (GIBA), Edwin Arthur (PRINPAG), and Eugene Osafo Nkansah (NMAG)—the Coalition described the accusations made by Blessed Godsbrain Smart, popularly known as Captain Smart of Onua TV and Accra FM, as “baseless and frivolous,” urging the public to disregard them.
The press conference in question, held on July 16, 2024, was supported by the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) and aimed at denouncing the rising unprofessional practices within the media landscape, specifically highlighting the use of insults and inflammatory language by Captain Smart on his morning show.
In response to the Media Coalition’s call for professional self-regulation, Captain Smart alleged on the “The Citizens Show,” an Accra FM live programme broadcast on July 17, 2024, that the Coalition’s leadership had accepted GH₵ 213,000 from the Jubilee House to organize the press conference.
He repeated these allegations on July 30, 2024, on his morning show on Onua TV and social media, which the Coalition claims has damaged its reputation and that of its leaders.
The Coalition categorically denied collecting any money from the Jubilee House, stating, “The Media Coalition categorically denies collecting GH₵ 213,000 or any money from the Jubilee House to organize the said press conference and wishes to state further and unequivocally that there is no iota of truth in the allegation made by Captain Smart.”
The Coalition has called on the general public to disregard the allegations and urged the management of Media General to “act decisively and bring Captain Smart to professional order.” Additionally, the Coalition expressed disappointment with Kwabena Bobie Ansah, the host of “The Citizens Show” on Accra FM, for allowing his guest to make such “unsubstantiated allegations.”
“The Media Coalition wishes to reiterate that whilst it will continue to push for the protection of media freedom, it will never pull from the promotion of media responsibility,” the statement concluded.
A rejoinder has been sent to the management of Onua TV, Accra FM, and Captain Smart for publication, refuting the allegations and emphasizing the Coalition’s commitment to upholding professional standards in journalism.
