Ernest Kofi Owusu-Bempah, the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) deputy communication director, has turned to the police in response to what he believes to be a serious danger to his image and safety posed by social commentator A Plus.
Owusu-Bempah has requested an unreserved apology from A Plus for what he views as defamatory remarks after A Plus claimed that he was responsible for the disruption of the United Showbiz show on UTV over the weekend.
In a statement addressing A Plus and seeking an apology from the regular panelist on the United Showbiz, Owusu-Bempah stated, “I have become aware of a rather unfortunate incident in the studios of UTV, where a group of young men interrupted this weekend’s edition of United Showbiz program. The reason cited for the disruption of the program is unknown to me. Again, I have no knowledge of the situation, neither do I know the characters involved.”
Owusu-Bempah voiced his amazement at A Plus’s remarks, in which he connected Owusu-Bempah to the event, continuously insisted that Owusu-Bempah was accountable for the disturbance of the program, and even directly threatened Owusu-Bempah.
He reiterated his demand for a retraction of A Plus’s defamatory claims and an unequivocal apology, arguing that A Plus’s accusations lacked any foundation in law or reason.
Owusu-Bempah also disclosed that he had officially reported the threat made against him to the police.
Background
In a shocking turn of events, hooligans affiliated with the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) stormed the studios of UTV on Saturday, October 7, 2023, abruptly halting the live broadcast of United Showbiz.
Approximately seven minutes into the show, voices of agitation could be heard in the background as host MzGee introduced the program. An extended break in production followed the evident confusion on the host’s face before the programme was eventually taken off the air.
Numerous reports that emerged after the sudden interruption of the production indicated that the show was disrupted by a group of men who entered the studios with hostile intentions.
According to these reports, the agitated individuals had entered the studio with the apparent aim of confronting Kwame Asare Obeng, also known as A Plus, who is a regular panel member on the show.
Subsequent videos on social media depict a chaotic scene within the UTV studio, with several men calling out for A Plus.
“We are waiting for A Plus today… A Plus has to explain to us why he tore our paper from the NPP party. We are here, we are waiting for A Plus. We are protecting our party property,” one of the men is heard shouting in the studio.
What A Plus said
Reacting to the incident after United Showbiz had resumed following the security breach, A Plus who had not arrived at the studios at the time of the attack said his information shows Ernest Owusu-Bempah instigated the attack.
“I am hearing it was Ernest Owusu-Bempah who sent men here. That is what I am hearing and I am just hoping that it is not true,” A Plus stated.
A Plus who was livid about the situation went ahead to issue a strong warning to Owusu-Bempah indicating that he was ready to respond in a more brutal manner if such a thing were ever to happen again.
“If it is true, he did it, it took him two weeks to organise those people. Me, I came here with three pickups full of boys, it took me less than 30 minutes to call boys that everyone should come to UTV.
“Owusu-Bempah if you do that thing again, I will organise boys and I will bring them to Ghana Gas,” he told the party’s deputy communications officer who doubles as the Public Relations Officer for the Ghana Gas Company.
Read Owusu Bempah’s full statement below:
Public Statement
8th October 2023
Owusu-Bempah demands unqualified apology from A-Plus
I have become aware of a rather unfortunate incident in the studios of UTV), were a group of young men interrupted this weekend’s edition of United Showbiz program.
The reason cited for the disruption of the program is unknown to me.
Again, I have no knowledge of the situation, neither do I know the characters involved.
Surprisingly, a panelist on the show, Kwame Asare Obeng, otherwise known as A-Plus descended into the gutters with all sorts of attacks on my person.
Furthermore, A-Plus directly linked me to the incident and repeatedly claimed that I was responsible for the disruption of the program and went ahead to issue a direct threat on my person.
He also falsely alleged that I mobilized the group that disrupted the United Showbiz program without providing any lawful justification or evidence, and also indicatd that he will mobilize thugs to come and harm me at Ghana Gas.
Let me put on record that these accusations and defamatory statements were made without any substantiation or lawful justification.
I have made a formal complaint to the police regarding the threat made on my life.
On the other hand, I am by this statement demanding for a retraction of A-Plus’s defamatory words and an unqualified apology.
If he should fail or refuse to do that, then I would have no other option than to instruct my lawyers to institute legal action for
the damage and injury caused to my integrity.
Signed:
Ernest Kofi Owusu-Bempah Bonsu
Deputy Director of Communications, NPP
Source: ghanaown.com
