President John Dramani Mahama’s directive to curb unnecessary public expenditure by banning all offices within the Jubilee House, Ghana’s presidential seat, from subscribing to DStv or any other satellite television service has been received positively within political circles.

According to Mr. Felix Ofosu Kwakye, “You would say that is a trivial matter, but he has done that. Because when you computed the cost, it was significant money.”

While the move may seem minor from a purely political or fiscal standpoint, my perspective shifts quickly beyond politics. I see a golden opportunity for local content creators to step up and push more homegrown content onto our television screens.

As Mr. Ofosu Kwakye emphasised, “The ban confines television at the Jubilee House to local channels only.” This means local stations must now rise to the challenge—offering engaging, relevant, and high-quality programming. It’s a direct call to the creative minds in Ghana’s orange economy.

This development, though easily dismissed as trivial, is far from insignificant. Think about it: if previously, hours of television consumed within government agencies were dominated by foreign content, and now those same hours must be filled with local programming, that’s a considerable shift in media consumption.

If local channels produce compelling content that captures attention, they will not only win over civil servants during office hours but also potentially retain those viewers at home, too. It’s a ripple effect.

Imagine the number of government workers, civil servants, and public officials who will now have no choice but to tune in to local content. It’s a massive boost for local media, and one that should energise all stakeholders to be innovative and strategic.

Moreover, this move should encourage ministries and relevant government agencies to support and invest in content that reflects our own stories, values, and identity, dethroning the foreign-dominated programming that currently fills too much of our airtime.

Our creative sector must seize this opportunity with boldness and urgency. It is time to push for policies, funding, and platforms that promote Ghanaian content. We must stop playing second fiddle in our own media space.

Unfortunately, many local stations continue to prioritise foreign content over Ghanaian productions. But this ban offers a moment of reset, a moment that creatives must exploit.

Let us rise. Let us be daring. Let us use this policy shift as a catalyst to grow our content, strengthen our industry, and reclaim our space on Ghana’s screens.

Kojo Preko Dankwa
FOCAP President
Host, Kessben Maakye
Kessben FM 92.9, Accra
Kessben TV

The Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) has picked up Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, following a visit to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) headquarters on Tuesday, May 27.

Sources close to the development confirm that Chairman Wontumi, who appeared before the CID earlier in the day to assist with ongoing investigations, was later picked up by officials of EOCO for further questioning.

The precise nature of the investigation remains undisclosed, however his legal team is yet to speak on the development.

Chairman Wontumi was officially cautioned on Monday, May 26, for allegedly engaging in mining operations without a license, polluting water bodies, and unlawfully entering a forest reserve.

In a press release issued on Monday, May 26, the CID confirmed that Mr. Antwi-Boasiako had reported to the CID Headquarters in Accra earlier that day at noon. He was accompanied by a legal team led by former Attorney General Godfred Yeboah Dame.

According to the statement, Wontumi cooperated fully with investigators and submitted a formal statement. He was subsequently granted bail with instructions to return for further questioning on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Chairman Wontumi has denied involvement in illegal mining and reports linking him to a controversial payment from COCOBOD.

Speaking to journalists after his interrogation by the CID on Monday, he firmly defended his innocence on both fronts, stating he had complied fully with legal requirements regarding his mining operations.

Source: Citi Newsroom

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has issued a strong warning against what it describes as politically motivated intimidation, following the arrest of its Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) on Tuesday, May 27.

Speaking on Citi Eyewitness News on Tuesday, NPP National Organiser Henry Nana Boakye expressed the party’s outrage over the incident, vowing that the NPP would not sit by while its members face what it considers unfair treatment under the guise of investigations.

“We will resist any form of political harassment. We have already indicated our willingness to cooperate with any investigative body. We are a law-abiding political party, and we have already told our members to cooperate with any investigative body,” he said.

Boakye further criticised the manner in which the arrest was carried out, likening it to scenes from an action film.

Chairman Wontumi was reportedly picked up by EOCO officials shortly after honouring an earlier invitation from the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) on the morning of Tuesday, May 27.

Sources familiar with the matter said he was assisting with ongoing investigations when he was transferred into EOCO custody for further questioning.

Although EOCO has not officially disclosed the details of the case, Wontumi was allegedly cautioned on Monday, May 26, over suspected illegal mining activities.

The allegations reportedly include operating without a license, polluting water bodies, and unlawfully entering a forest reserve.

Source: Citi Newsroom