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21.05.2004 Regional News

Radio Station Shut Down

21.05.2004 LISTEN
By Chronicle

Vice President Alhaji Aliu Mahama's failure to visit and pay homage to the traditional chief of Tamale, Dakpema-Na Alhassan, during his recent tour of the Northern Region, including some parts of Tamale, indirectly caused the closure of a Tamale private FM radio station, Justice (98.5) FM.

The closure of the FM station came as a result of an "irresponsible" comment passed bya renown Tamale based NPP loyalist, Shamuna Gazi, during a panel discussion on thestation's airwaves on Tuesday, asserting that, the Dakpema-Na is not identified as a chief, which is the sole reason why the vice president refused to pay him homage on his recent visit to the region to inaugurate some projects within and around the Tamale municipality.

Chronicle's investigations revealed that, the Veep visited and paid homage to some Dagbon chiefs, including the Sang-Na, the chief of Sang, who is some 20 km. away from Yendi, the Jimili-Na, who is also very close to Tamale and eventually, the Kpanvo-Na,Dr. Sandow, a pathologist based in Germany,who was enskinned by the Dakpema-Na and pays homage to him.

It is therefore in the light of this that some quarters and opinion leaders in the region have identified the failure of the vice president's visit to the traditional chief of Tamale, the Dakpema-Na as unfortunate.

As a result, some sympathizers and loyalists of the Dakpema-Na thronged his palace on Tuesday upon hearing the unfortunate and irresponsible comment from the panelist (Shamuna Gazi) on air Justice (98.5) FM on Tuesday, calling for the arrest and prosecution of the panelist as he has demeaned the seat of the Tamale traditional leader.

When this reporter contacted the Dkpema-Na, chief of the Tamale traditional area, he confirmed the closure of the FM station, which was carried out under his instructions.

"I had to take such a decision due to the current situationin Dagbon, since such comments by irresponsible citizens only resort to civil strife and social turmoil"

He further stated that," the vice president is my 'son',and most often call me on phone to enquire on my health condition, hence his visiting the Kpanvo-Na was purely for the commissioning of the latter's clinic which has nothing to do with my traditional administration.'.

Meanwhile, Shamuna Gazi, the culprit, is at large and the Tamale Regional police command is on the look-out for him.

However, at the time of filing this report, Justice FM had resumed its operation, after the Lamshegu-Na sent elders in the company of the regional police commander to plead with the Dakpema-Na.

Justice FM's management, the reporter learnt, rendered an appropriate apology to the chief prior to its commencement of operations yesterday.

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