Kumasi-based radio and television presenter Oheneba Nana Asiedu has been granted bail by the Ghana Police Service after his arrest on Saturday, November 23, 2024.
Asiedu’s arrest stemmed from charges of publishing false news, which is contrary to Section 208 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29).
According to reports, Asiedu was invited by the Ashanti Regional Police Command on Friday, November 22, 2024, following allegations that he had encouraged voters to cast their ballots for presidential candidates on separate days during the upcoming December general elections.
The statement, which quickly spread on social media, was described by the Ghana Police Service as “false and likely to disturb the public peace.” Police officials noted that the misinformation had the potential to create confusion among voters and undermine public confidence in the integrity of the electoral process.
The National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) has also condemned Asiedu’s actions, emphasizing the importance of accurate and responsible reporting, especially during sensitive periods like elections.
Exerpts of Oheneba Nana Asiedu, Host at Wontumi FM/TV false election education.
A lot of people presented their documents to the Electoral Commission to be selected as presidential candidates for Ghanaians to choose from. In accordance with the Electoral Commission’s procedure, the candidates were balloted to determine their order on the ballot, from number one to thirteen. Due to the large number of candidates, the election has been divided into two parts.
The first group, consisting of the first seven candidates, will be voted on first.
This is how the voting will be conducted, Dr. Bawumia is number one on the ballot, so on 7th December we are going to vote for him first. We are going to vote for the first 7 people on the ballot, then after that we will vote for the remaining 7, from numbers 8,9,10 and 11 going.
So, on 7th December we are going to vote for Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, and maybe the next day or two days after we would vote for the number 2 on the ballot, then we move to number 3 and on a different day we would vote for number 4. This is going to be the trend.
Because we are going to vote for the first 7 people on the ballot first, that is why we going to vote on 7th December… if you don’t vote when it is Dr. Bawumia’s turn on 7th December, you will not get the chance to vote when it gets to the turn of other people on the ballot. The police and the electoral commission officers would not give you the chance to vote.
www.kumasimail.com /Kwadwo Owusu
