Media reports about the resignation of Blessed Godsbrain Smart, also known as Captain Smart, from Onua Maakye’s morning show on Onua TV are false.
Onua TV, a member of the Media General group, has officially denied these reports on its Facebook page.
Captain Smart’s announcement during the Monday, November 20 edition of the program, which may have appeared as a resignation, was apparently made in a joking manner.
However, what can be confirmed is the National Media Commission (NMC) has issued a final warning to Blessed Godsbrain Smart, also known as Captain Smart, and Onua Radio/TV over an inciteful broadcast that was aired by the station.
The NMC characterized the broadcast as dangerous and unprofessional, particularly highlighting Captain Smart’s direct insults against the Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS) and other commanders of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF), referring to them as “beasts.”
Furthermore, Captain Smart made claims of embezzlement by the officers, accusing them of misappropriating money intended for soldiers on peacekeeping operations, without providing evidence to support these allegations. The NMC expressed concern over the station’s persistence in promoting violence against the state, despite previous warnings.
The NMC had previously alerted Onua Radio/TV in December 2022 about their use of the station to propagate violence and the management’s failure to address the issue. The NMC emphasized the need for the station to implement measures to improve its broadcast content and comply with regulatory standards.
As a response, the NMC demanded an apology from Onua Radio/TV to the CDS and his commanders for the insults and requested a public apology to the Ghanaian public for the use of vulgar language. Onua Radio/TV was given until November 19, 2023, to undertake the recommended actions and provide evidence of compliance, with consequences threatened for non-compliance.