Wontumi Radio denies issuing apology to Mahama over crash comments

A management member of Wontumi Radio in Accra, Gordon Asare Bediako, has dismissed claims that Wontumi Multimedia issued an official apology to President John Dramani Mahama, the National Democratic Congress (NDC), and the public over remarks linking the President to the recent military helicopter crash.

The denial follows the circulation of a statement purportedly from Wontumi TV — owned by Ashanti Regional NPP Chairman Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi — apologising for comments made by one of its presenters, Akyemkwaa Nana Kofi Asare, on Saturday, August 9, 2025.

The presenter had alleged that President Mahama was involved in the tragic crash. The purported statement described the claims as “inappropriate, unfounded, and contrary to the values of professionalism, accuracy, and fairness in broadcasting.”

Speaking on Channel One Newsroom on Tuesday, August 12, Mr. Asare Bediako stressed that management never issued such an apology, suggesting the statement originated from unauthorised online accounts amid heightened tensions between Wontumi Multimedia and the National Communications Authority (NCA) over the suspension of three of its radio stations, including Wontumi Radio Accra.

“That came to us in Accra as a surprise. When we checked with Kumasi, we were told that there was nothing like that official apology or retraction or whatever. In fact, because of this communication from the NCA and the subsequent action, we were in the office of the lawyer for hours. While at that, somebody called to tell us that there was a letter in circulation.

“When we checked, we realised that it was not on the official social media handle of Wontumi Multimedia. There are several fake, unauthorised social media handles of Wontuni Multimedia, which are not utilised, and it was one of these that they used. Later, I saw that a ‘fake’ stamp had been used on it,” he explained.

He added that there has been no official communication from security agencies regarding the broadcaster’s reported arrest, and the identity of those who apprehended him remains unknown.