The management of privately-owned North Star, a radio station in Tamale, capital of the Northern region of Ghana, suspended indefinitely members of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) from participating in the station’s programmes.
The management said the suspension was to protect the station from frequent attacks by persons believed to be sympathizers of the NDC.
According to Adams Cockra, the director of North Star, the first attack occurred on June 8 after a newspaper review programme that discussed a demonstration by a faction in an ethnic conflict.
Two royal families in Northern Ghana, the Abudu and Andani have been in a longstanding feud that has divided the two clans across the main political parties in Ghana. The North Star is owned by Alhaji Aliu Mahama, an Abudu and a former Vice President of Ghana during the last administration of Ex-President John Kufuor.
Cockra alleged that the NDC panelist incited the Andanis against the station during the programme, a situation which led to an abrupt end of the programme.
The assailants reportedly attacked the station again on June 9, resulting in the destruction of the glass windows of the station.
Reacting to the allegations, Tanko Computer, northern regional operations director of the NDC distanced the party from the attack, saying their party does not support violence. He said they had met with the station’s management and would also conduct their own investigations into the matter.
In an interview with the Metropolitan Police Commander, ASP Caesar Abanga, he confirmed the attack but said they were unable to blame any particular group because the complainants were not cooperating in the investigations. Cockra, however, dismissed the assertion of the police.