Captain Smart Resigns from Onua TV [Details]

Blessed Godsbrain Smart, popularly known as Captain Smart, has officially resigned from Onua radio/TV, a part of the Media General group. The announcement was made during the Monday, November 20, 2023 edition of the station’s morning show, where Captain Smart expressed gratitude to the management of Media General while noting his decision to step down from hosting the program Onua Maakye.

This decision follows closely on the heels of a final warning issued by the National Media Commission (NMC) to Captain Smart and Onua radio/TV regarding a recent broadcast deemed inciteful. The warning, issued on Tuesday, November 14, 2023, by NMC’s Executive Secretary, George Sarpong, condemned the broadcast as dangerous and unprofessional.

The NMC specifically pointed out Captain Smart’s direct insults toward the Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS) and other commanders of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF), referring to them as “beasts.” Moreover, Captain Smart levied allegations of embezzlement against these officers, claiming they misappropriated funds intended for soldiers on peacekeeping operations, though no supporting evidence was provided.

Expressing concern over the station’s persistent promotion of violence against the state despite prior warnings, the NMC recalled its December 2022 alert to Onua Radio/TV about propagating violence and the station’s apparent failure to address the issue internally. The regulatory body stressed the importance of implementing measures to sanitize broadcasts and enhance regulatory compliance.

As part of the NMC’s directives, Onua Radio/TV was required to issue an apology to the CDS and commanders for the insults, as well as extend an apology to the Ghanaian public for the use of vulgar language. The NMC set a deadline of November 19, 2023, for Onua Radio/TV to comply with these recommendations and provide evidence of their actions, warning of consequences if they failed to do so. Captain Smart’s resignation adds another layer of complexity to this evolving story, leaving both his future endeavors and the fate of Onua Radio/TV uncertain.