No sooner had the popular United Showbiz started on Saturday night than about 20 people invaded the studios of UTV, supposedly to disrupt the programme.
Although the persons could not be immediately identified by followers of the programme, it has emerged that they are affiliated with the ruling NPP.
According to reports, the groups went to the station following a “provocative” action by entertainment pundit and socialite Kwame Asare Obeng, also known as A-Plus, which they believe was inimical to their party’s fortunes.
A-Plus on the live program torn apart a letter sent earlier by the communications team of the NPP to the management of the station, registering its displeasure about the biased paneling structure of the programme.
The Ghana Police Service says it has picked up 16 people so far following a complaint by the Abeka-Junction-based media group and the Ministry of Information.
It added that it has commenced investigations into the matter.
“Following a complaint from the Despite Media Group and Ministry of Information that certain people had invaded the studios of U-TV this evening, the Police proceeded to the scene and arrested sixteen (16) persons.”
“They are currently at the Police Station assisting investigations,” the police said in a statement on October 7.
Several groups, including the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), the National Media Commission (NMC), the Private Newspapers and Online News Publishers Association of Ghana (PRINPAG), and the Ministry of Information, have condemned the actions of the gangsters while calling on the police to expedite investigations and prosecution into the matter.
Meanwhile, the NPP has apologized to the TV station for the actions of their supporters on Saturday.
The party contended that it did not sanction the actions of the group.
“We wish to state that the party did not sanction the said act, and we unreservedly apologize to UTV, the program team, and the general public,” Communications Director of the NPP, Richard Ahiagbah, who also visited UTV following the incident, posted on X.
“The right of citizens to free speech is one of the cardinal values of our tradition, and we are committed to its advancement. The proper way to express concerns over any program by any media house would be to make a formal complaint. Advancing to interrupt the work of any media house is unacceptable, and we condemn it”, Richard Ahiagbah added.
