A Ghanaian journalist has been shamed by local chiefs after he reportedly circulated an audio message criticizing them.
A man kneeling down
A journalist with Rivers FM at Wassa Akropong in the Western Region of Ghana incurred the wrath of traditional leaders after he criticised them for not doing enough to secure the interest of youth in the area, according to MyJoy News.
In retaliation, the journalist identified as Larry Saint was forced by the paramount chief of the area, Omanhene Tetre Akuamoah Sekyim, to kneel in the sun for over three hours as punishment for expressing his views after which he was handed over to the police for a charge yet to be established.
Trouble started when youths of Wassa Akropong in the mining town last weekend demanded that a Chinese national, Jiang Gen Hai, be handed to them for instant justice after the Chinese allegedly shot and killed a local last Friday.
Police faced a tough time protecting Mr Hai and other Chinese nationals who were then hiding in a room. It took the intervention of Western Region Police Commander, DCOP Kwesi Duku, to bring the chaotic situation under control.
During the melee, Larry Saint had posted a voice note on a Whatsapp platform for journalists that the chiefs were not doing enough to ensure the safety of the youth of the area against abuse by the Chinese.
The voice reached the chiefs, who where were not enthused by Larry's comments. Wassa Akropong plays host to many Chinese nationals due to its mineral-rich lands.
“I was called by my manager to accompany him to the palace because the Chief has summoned us. So I went with my manager and when the Omanhene came he said he has got a tape to play for us and after that, he is going to take a decision.
“So he set up a PA address system and he asked if it was my voice, I said yes, and he asked me to kneel down on the tiles. So I knelt. After a while he asked me to get up and go into the sun,” Larry narrated his ordeal to Joy News.
Western Region Police PRO, Olivia Diku, also confirmed the subsequent arrest to Joy News. Although Larry has been released, he receives messages of threats on his life, however, he says he cannot leave the town for fear of violating the directive of police.
OmanheneTetre Akuamoah Sekyim is yet to respond to persistent calls for a comment on the matter. Meanwhile, a Takoradi District Court on Tuesday remanded a Mr Hai into police custody for shooting to death Nana Buah, 29.
He will reappear in court on Thursday, October 26.