An attempt by the New Patriotic Party’s Communications Director, Richard Ahiagbah, to have private legal practitioner Martin Kpebu removed from TV3’s ‘The Keypoints’ program was unsuccessful as the show’s host, Alfred Ocansey, pushed back.
During the September 16, 2023 episode, Ahiagbah expressed dissatisfaction with Kpebu’s allegations of corruption against President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and some government officials.
He insisted that TV3 should address Kpebu’s behavior, which the NPP finds intolerable.
“My senior brother, Martin Kpebu, I think TV3 and Media General… I’m the Director of Communication of the New Patriotic Party. As the party of the president, I believe I reserve the right to talk about this”
“I think that Media General will have to exercise some responsibility to its viewers and listeners and take a decision on Martin Kpebu’s continued presence on the show and his propensity to insult the president and government at will. It is completely unacceptable!. I think we need to have a decision from Media General on this matter,” Ahiagbah suggested.
In a swift retort, the show’s host, Alfred Ocansey, reminded Richard Ahiagbah of his political role and emphasized that Ahiagbah had no authority to dictate the show’s panel composition.
Ocansey stressed that it was solely the prerogative of the show’s producers and TV3 staff to determine the panelists, and they would not permit political interference in their selection process.
He also pointed out that when it had been necessary to rein in Martin Kpebu’s comments, he had already taken appropriate action, rendering Ahiagbah’s comment irrelevant and baseless.
“For us here, we exercise that editorial right to decide on who comes on this platform or otherwise. It is that editorial right that we consistently exercise in bringing Martin Kpebu on this platform. For us as a political party, you cannot dictate or decide who comes on this platform and what the person says,” Alfred Ocansey maintained.
Click on link below for the interview:
https://www.facebook.com/TV3GH/videos/211286921741512