General News of Saturday, 6 April 2019

Source: mynewsgh.com

Go and learn ‘journalism’ from Bernard Avle and co – NDC activist scolds AdomTV’s Omanhene

Omanhene Kwabena Asante, host of Adom TV's Badwam Omanhene Kwabena Asante, host of Adom TV's Badwam

The host of Adom TV’s Badwam, Omanhene Kwabena Asante has received a reply from NDC activist Yayra Koku after the latter described the public lecture held by the National Democratic Congress about the Economic Management Team lecture as “bogus”.

According to Yayra, ”proper” journalists like Evans Mensah of JoyFM and Bernard Avle of Citi FM subjected the NDC lecture to fact-checking unlike Omanhene who has a “big head but a small brain” who chose to rant without understanding of the issues.

“Right after the forum came to a closure, I noticed your colleague Journalist, Evans Mensah, of JoyFM subjected the data presented by Hon. Adongo and other panel members to fact-checking against what was presented by Dr. Bawumia and his team of incompetent minds. The video or audio is out there for public consumption. Same can be said of Bernard Avle, of Citi FM. I personally want to know as a journalist, what prevented you from following suit?”

Omanhene of AdomTV had said the first three speakers at the NDC lecture were just serving the party’s interest and also looking out for positions if they come to power, comparing the entire event to a “keysoap concert party” gathering.

“The first three speakers didn’t come to serve any purpose. Where we have gotten to us a country, we will not tolerate such ‘keysoap concert party’.

“We have very serious issues and the little platform that we have here we will not call for that again. The first three speakers were bogus. The NPP and Ghanaians should listen to John Jinapor, he has raised pertinent issues.” he added.

“We are not joking and my expectation from especially their Almighty Adongo was not this creche lecture. John Jinapor was able to expose certain defect in the presentation of government on energy. Let’s move this country beyond this kind of pettiness and partisanship”, Omanhene stated.

But in a reply Yayra Koku believes Omanhene lacks an appreciation of the issues as he “used to think people with bigger heads had an equivalent brain hence were in the position to appreciate issues better than those with smaller heads. However, when I grew up, I noticed it was a mere myth. After listening to your submission yesterday on Ekosiisen hosted by Philip Osei Bonsu, I noticed you are part of the people who are affected by the high cost of fuel knowing well that your brains run on it.”

Read Yayra Koku’s full reply

Fortunately or Unfortunately for you, you didn’t appear on TV today. But I hope all is well with you. Nice one there!!!

I will make my reply to you on your distasteful comment about yesterday’s programme by the NDC very short and precise.

I recall when I was a kid, I used to think people with bigger heads had an equivalent brain hence were in the position to appreciate issues better than those with smaller heads. However, when I grew up, I noticed it was a mere myth. After listening to your submission yesterday on Ekosiisen hosted by Philip Osei Bonsu, I noticed you are part of the people who are affected by the high cost of fuel knowing well that your brains run on it. I’m 100% sure that your inability to peruse and properly analyse the core issues raised during yesterday’s encounter was due to the fact that your brain was low on fuel and I won’t fault you on that. I can only blame the impotent NPP government for putting you in such a state by increasing a litre of fuel from ¢3.98 to ¢5.18 in just 2yrs.

Back to the main issues raised at the alternative town hall meeting organised by the NDC. Right after the forum came to a closure, I noticed your colleague Journalist, Evans Mensah, of JoyFM subjected the data presented by Hon. Adongo and other panel members to fact-checking against what was presented by Dr. Bawumia and his team of incompetent minds. The video or audio is out there for public consumption. Same can be said of Bernard Avle, of Citi FM. I personally want to know as a journalist, what prevented you from following suit? Ooooops!!! pardon me, I’ve forgotten you had run out of fuel. I’m sure that is why you couldn’t host your programme today. I know by Monday you will have a full tank to constructively analyse the issues raised. Till when, will you continue to make your profession an extension of your stomach, subject to the highest bidder? Kindly do this to redeem your already damaged image; Journalists are expected to do in-depth research and analysis on issues of national concern and not this kind of haphasard yellow journalism you did yesterday.

As for Kay Kay of Golden Radio USA, I will forgive him for those hasty comments he made on his Facebook page in affirmation of Omanhene’s folly.

I have always been of the opinion that journalism as a profession goes beyond sitting behind a console to spew noise. As a journalist, it is expected of you to research, analyse issues and present the facts to your listeners. Not the kind of jokes some of you sit behind the microphone and say.

For instance, Hon. Adongo provided data on the amount we spent to stabilise the cedi which is $700m. He again said most of the borrowing we are doing is for consumption and not for capital investment etc. He gave data and his source to that effect. As a journalist, have you bothered to find out whether his facts and figures correspond with the realities on the grounds? You have not done that yet and you call yourself a journalist? Apuuuu torrrrrr.

Lastly Omanhene, I hope by Monday you will have a full tank do the needful thing by apologising to your cherish listeners and also compensate them with critical analysis of the facts presented by both parties. This is what Ghanaians expect of you as a Journalist and not the comical and hasty statements you always resort to.