Oguaa Traditional Council fines broadcaster GH¢30,000 for disparaging comments

The Oguaa Traditional Council has fined broadcaster Ato Trustworthy GH¢30,000 after he made disparaging comments about the Omanhen, Osabarimba Kwesi Atta II, on TikTok.

Following his apology to the council, the broadcaster was also directed to present three male sheep; one for Nananom and another for the Asafo companies. The council further instructed Mr Trustworthy to carry a third sheep from the London Bridge, where the sacred statue of the land’s totem, the crab, stands, through Melcom, in front of the Cape Coast Castle, and finally to the Emintsimadze Palace, where it will be purified by Nananom as part of reconciliatory rituals.

The traditional council also ordered Mr Trustworthy to provide 12 bottles of schnapps.

14 days

Nananom gave Mr Trustworthy 14 days to pay the fine and fulfil all other obligations he was directed to undertake to seal the forgiveness and signify the cleansing for the offence.

This followed the Oguaamanhen, Osabarimba Kwesi Atta II, and his council of chiefs officially accepting an apology from the media personality.

Solemn and remorseful

At a solemn meeting to apologise at the Emintsimadze Palace on Monday, Mr Trustworthy was cautioned not to repeat such behaviour. This came after a recent incident that drew public attention and cultural concern.

Rejected apology

The latest apology came after an earlier attempt had been flatly rejected by the traditional council.

This second apology, which was tendered in person, was not only verbal but accompanied by traditional protocols and a significant show of humility from Mr Trustworthy, who was accompanied by Reverend Father Joojo Gyepi-Garbrah of the Anglican Diocese of Cape Coast, a respected clergyman and former broadcaster with Radio Central.

After deliberations, the council of chiefs accepted the apology but issued specific traditional directives as a condition for full spiritual and communal reconciliation.

Uphold cultural values

The Omanhen, in his remarks, emphasised the importance of upholding cultural values and respect for traditional authority, especially from individuals in the media space who hold public influence.

“The palace is a place of peace and reconciliation. We welcome Ato Trustworthy’s remorse, but tradition must be followed for peace to prevail,” said Osabarimba.

Mr Trustworthy, visibly humbled, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to make amends and pledged to fulfil the directives accordingly. Reverend Father Gyepi-Garbrah also thanked the chiefs for their wisdom and open-heartedness in allowing space for reconciliation.

Ato Trustworthy had made a TikTok live post denigrating the Omanhen over an incident that occurred during the PANAFEST durbar.

Source: GraphicOnline