NDC boycotts Peace FM’s ‘Kokrokoo’
The opposition, National Democratic Congress (NDC), has ceased discussions and interviews on Peace FM’s flagship programme ‘Kokrokoo’ citing unfairness.
The party said producers and the host of the programme, Kwame Sefa Kayi, do not ensure even representation of political parties during discussions on the private Accra-based radio station.
After several appeals and official complaints, the party said the producers had been adamant and refused to ratify the situation.
“Specifically, the reason for this boycott has to do with the unreasonable decision of the producers and host of the programme to permanently reserve one (1) of the two (2) slots the party has traditionally had on Wednesdays on the show to Mr Allotey Jacobs, who is often introduced by the host of the programme as a ‘Social Commentator with strong leanings to the NDC’, ostensibly to spite the NDC,” a statement by the NDC National Communication Officer, Sammy Gyamfi, said on Wednesday.
This would not be the first time the party has taken such a position as it also boycotted the Accra-based Joy FM in 2011.
The party raised the same concerns of unfairness and balance on Joy FM’s Newsfile news analysis programme hosted by Samson Lardi Anyenini.
Below is the full statement:
NDC BOYCOTTS PEACE (104.3) FM’S MORNING SHOW (KOOKROKOO)
6th May, 2020
The National Communication Bureau of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) wishes to inform all its Communicators, Media Monitors, and Officials that the Party has boycotted Peace (104.3) FM’s morning show (Kookrokoo) effective today, Wednesday, 6th May 2020.
This decision has been occasioned by the unfair panelling system that the Production Team of that program has continuously foisted on the NDC over a number of months. Specifically, the reason for this boycott has to do with the unreasonable decision of the Producers and Host of the program to permanently reserve one (1) of the two (2) slots the party has traditionally had on Wednesdays on the show to Mr. Allotey Jacobs, who is often introduced by the host of the program as a “Social Commentator with strong leanings to the NDC”, ostensibly to spite the NDC.
All efforts to get the Producers and Host of the program to give us a fair representation on the show over the past eight (8) months, including a complaint to the Management of the station for an amicable resolution of this matter, have proven futile, as the party continues to be treated with the utmost contempt.
This unfair treatment flies in the face of the long-standing tradition of the programme, which allocates two (2) slots each to the NDC and the NPP on Wednesdays and Fridays respectively. Although we appreciate the production and editorial discretion of the station to give their platform to whoever they deem fit, we consider it unfair for the NPP to maintain their two (2) slots on Fridays while the NDC’s two slots on Wednesdays are reduced to one (1), to satisfy the whim of a dictatorial Host and his poodle.
In protest to this flagrant disregard for fairness by the Host and Production Crew of the program, the National Communication Bureau of the NDC has decided to cease the placement of party communicators on the “Kookrokoo” show forthwith. All communicators, media monitors, members, and officials of the NDC are hereby entreated to refuse any invitations and/or interviews from the said programme, until the station addresses our concerns and reviews their unfair panelling system.
Signed.
SAMMY GYAMFI
(National Communication Officer, NDC)