In a dramatic twist, the Manhyia Palace has rejected a public apology from media personalities Afia Pokua and Mona Gucci, following their controversial remarks about Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.
The Palace has instead insisted that Media General, the parent company of Onua TV, take responsibility for the incident and personally offer an apology.
Background
The controversy erupted after Afia Pokua made remarks on Onua TV’s “Biribi Gyegye Wo” show, which many Ghanaians found disrespectful to the revered Asantehene.
Her comments quickly sparked outrage across the country, with critics accusing her of crossing cultural boundaries and showing disrespect to Otumfuo.
In an attempt to defuse the situation, Afia Pokua, accompanied by several influential figures, visited the Manhyia Palace to apologize in person. However, the Palace refused to accept the apology.
Adding fuel to the fire, popular Kumawood actor Kwaku Manu publicly stated that Otumfuo is above the law and even beyond the authority of the President or the Supreme Court, further intensifying the debate around the incident.
Mona Gucci, who hosted the show, also came under fire for allowing the controversial discussion to unfold, raising questions about her role in managing the broadcast.
Rejection of the Apology
Although both Afia Pokua and Mona Gucci knelt at Manhyia Palace to apologize, their gestures were not enough to satisfy the Palace. Citing concerns about Media General’s editorial control and content oversight, the Palace rejected their apology.
The leadership at Manhyia is now demanding that executives from Media General appear in person to issue a formal apology and provide assurances that the company will implement measures to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future.
This rejection has reignited a national conversation about the responsibilities of media houses, cultural respect, and the boundaries of free speech. The Palace’s response signals its concern about media professionalism and the need for stricter oversight when discussing culturally sensitive topics.
Media General’s History of Controversy
This is not the first time Onua TV and its parent company Media General have found themselves in trouble. In 2022, the National Communications Authority (NCA) fined Onua TV for breaching broadcasting regulations.
The current standoff between Manhyia Palace and the station raises new questions about the network’s commitment to maintaining high standards of journalism and cultural awareness.
As tensions simmer, all eyes are now on Media General’s leadership to see how they will respond to the Palace’s demands and whether this incident will lead to broader changes in how media content is managed and produced in Ghana.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
