Assin South Member of Parliament (MP), Reverend John Ntim Fordjour, has strongly denied allegations that he walked out of the Newsfile programme on JoyNews during a discussion on suspected drug trafficking at Kotoka International Airport (KIA).

The MP took to social media to refute claims made by Samson Lardy Anyenini, the host of Newsfile, and NPP spokesperson Sammy Gyamfi, who suggested that he abruptly exited the show.

In a post on X, Reverend Fordjour clarified the situation, explaining that he had been scheduled for a specific segment of the programme and had left after his part was concluded. He wrote:

"I never walked out of Newsfile contrary to what Samson Ayenini and Sammy Gyamfi put out. I was billed for only a particular segment and was told another panelist was billed to take over after my segment. I left after my segment fully concluded and break was taken for me to exit while my replacement walked in to take her seat."

Fordjour further explained that during his exit, he had communicated his concerns about what he perceived to be biased and hostile hosting by Samson Lardy Anyenini. According to the MP, Sammy Gyamfi filmed the exit and subsequently circulated a misleading video on WhatsApp, falsely suggesting that he had walked out in protest.

"While exiting, I indicated to Samson his biased and hostile hosting. Sammy Gyamfi filmed the exit and broadcasted falsely on his WhatsApp with claims of me walking out the show," Fordjour stated.

He went on to accuse Samson of misrepresenting the events once the break ended, claiming that the host falsely asserted that he had walked out due to reading disingenuous messages on the show. Fordjour also expressed his frustration with the way Samson had portrayed him in the lead-up to and during the segment.

"Samson immediately upon resuming from break to begin the next segment, mischievously stated I had walked out of the show because he had read disingenuous messages," Fordjour said.

The MP continued, alleging that Samson had made inappropriate and false statements about him before and during the show, which he said were intended to smear his reputation.

"Listen to what Samson said about me before I entered the studio, and while I was in the studio and conclude, what he’s capable of saying when I exited. He pronounced me guilty, to shut up, jail-bound and all sorts of inappropriate false pronouncements, clearly not hiding his prejudices to smear me. So please disregard his claim and the false video of Sammy Gyamfi - it was staged, not coincidence."

Fordjour concluded his post by reiterating that he had followed the programme's schedule and had left only after his segment had ended.

"I stayed through the full segment I was billed for and exited after. Have a blessed Sunday!"