Renowned broadcaster Don Kwabena Prah, popularly known as “The Don,” has leveled serious allegations against the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), accusing them of bribing journalists with GHS 10,000 each during a recent press conference held by their presidential candidate, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, on August 25.
According to The Don, journalists who attended the event were given briefing packs containing the party’s manifesto, a pen, and an envelope filled with cash, raising significant ethical concerns.
The accusations follow a statement from Miracles Aboagye, Director of Communications for the Bawumia campaign, inviting media houses to express their interest in attending the press conference by August 22.
However, The Don has claimed that the invitations were selectively issued to partisan media outlets, with several prominent journalists, including himself, being excluded despite submitting requests to participate. This, he argues, was a deliberate move to control the narrative by excluding critical voices.
On his Hot Morning Drive show on Hot 93.9 FM, The Don named several journalists, such as Kojo Marfo of Abusua FM and Evans Inkoom of Akoma FM, who were also left out of the event despite applying.
He highlighted the case of Yaw Jonah from Fox FM, who revealed that he was not invited due to the NPP’s dissatisfaction with his programming. Jonah disclosed that he was directly confronted by Ashanti Regional NPP Communications Director, Paul Yandoh, over the party’s discomfort with his show, further confirming The Don’s claims of a biased selection process.
The Don did not hold back in his criticism, lambasting his colleagues for allegedly compromising their integrity by accepting the cash handouts.
He warned that such behavior is detrimental to the profession, stating, “Ghanaian broadcasters, you are ruining the nation. In any corrupt society, the media is the last line of defense. But when you sell your voice for GHS 10,000, you betray the very principles of journalism.”
