A journalist with Kumasi-based Wontumi FM, Emmanuel Kwakye Asare, has been granted bail after spending two weeks in police custody.
Asare was arrested on August 12, 2025,
A Kumasi-based journalist with Wontumi FM, Emmanuel Kwakye Asare, has been released on bail after spending two weeks in police custody.
Asare was arrested on August 12, 2025, and charged with offensive conduct related to the alleged publication of false information intended to cause fear and panic. The charge stems from comments he allegedly made on his programme, claiming that President John Dramani Mahama had prior knowledge of the August 6 helicopter crash that killed eight people.
The court granted him bail of GH₵100,000 with two sureties, both of whom must be civil servants. His lawyers are currently working to satisfy the bail conditions.
Prosecutors had opposed the application, insisting that investigations were still ongoing. However, presiding judge Samuel Bright Acquah ruled in favour of bail, stating that there was no sufficient justification to keep the journalist in custody. He cited a previous case in which a young man was remanded for insulting then-President Nana Akufo-Addo, suggesting that similar treatment would be inconsistent.
Asare is expected to reappear before the court on September 1, 2025, as the case proceeds.
and charged with offensive conduct over the publication of alleged false news intended to cause fear and panic. He is accused of claiming on his programme that President John Dramani Mahama had prior knowledge of the August 6 helicopter crash that claimed eight lives.
The court granted him bail set at GH₵100,000 with two sureties, both of whom must be civil servants. His legal team is currently working to meet the bail conditions.
The prosecution opposed the bail request, arguing that investigations were still ongoing. However, presiding judge Samuel Bright Acquah ruled that there was no sufficient reason to deny bail, referencing a past case in which a young man was remanded for insulting then-President Akufo-Addo.
Asare is scheduled to reappear before the court on September 1, 2025, as proceedings continue.
