Okatakyie Afrifa-Mensah, host of the morning show on Angel FM, has issued a heartfelt apology to the Nungua Traditional Council, the people of Nungua, and Gborbu Wulomo-Shitse, the overlord of Gadangme State.
In a public statement, Afrifa-Mensah expressed remorse for his previous comments, explaining that he was unaware of Gborbu-Wulomo’s status as the head of the Gadangme tribe when he made his remarks about an alleged marriage to a 12-year-old.
“If I claim to be a fighter for human rights and one day I wake up to the news that an MC officiating a programme says even my lord, Osei Tutu (Asantehene) is marrying a 12-year-old child, I would be so angry and I would say it the way I said it. However, at the time I was speaking on the matter, my understanding of Gborbu-Wulomo was that he was someone like Kwaku Bonsam [a fetish priest] because sitting here I didn’t know the Wulomo was the head of the Gadangme tribe. I thought it was the Mantse who was the head,” Afrifa-Mensah explained.
He continued, “So my understanding of who Gborbu-Wulomo was at the time of making those pronouncements was not that he was the overlord of the Gadangme Traditional Council…. So every Gadangme who is angered has a right to be angry.”
Acknowledging his misunderstanding, Afrifa-Mensah extended his apology to the Gadangme community andGborbu-Wulomo,emphasizing his respect for tradition and customs.
“So I will base on that and apologise to the Gadangme community and Gborbu-Wulomo that per the misconception which the MC made the utterances was what I based on to make those statements in anger. I have respect for tradition and customs but at no point would we hide behind traditions and customs to do the wrong thing. That will not happen today or tomorrow, even if you put a gun to my head I will say it,” he stated.
The Ga Traditional Council had previously summoned Afrifa-Mensah to appear before them regarding his comments. The meeting is scheduled to take place at the Gborbu Wulomo-Shitse’s Palace on Friday, April 12, 2024.
“I have been instructed by the Elders of the Nungua Traditional Area to invite you to the palace concerning the false, unsavoury, and desecrating statements you made against Nuumo Gborbu Wulomo-Shitse, Overlord of the Gadangme State, and King Odaifio Welentsi III, Paramount Chief of Nungua Traditional Area, during a radio show at Angel FM,” it read.
The invitation, issued by the elders of the Nungua Traditional Area, emphasized the importance of according the summons with utmost respect and noted that the outcome of the meeting could have significant implications for both parties involved.
