Court orders police to file disclosures against Wontumi journalist

An Accra Circuit Court has directed the police to submit disclosures within seven days in the ongoing case involving broadcast journalist Emmanuel Kwakye Asare, who is facing charges for publishing false news.

The directive was issued by Circuit Court 8 to facilitate the Case Management Conference and allow the court to schedule a date for the trial to commence. The proceedings have been adjourned to September 29, 2025.

Asare was granted bail of GHC100,000 on August 27, 2025, after being held on remand for more than two weeks. He has entered a plea of not guilty to the charge related to comments made following a helicopter crash on August 6 that resulted in eight fatalities.

The journalist, who hosts the show “Nsepafie” on Wontumi Radio, is accused of stating during a live broadcast on August 9 that, "if your family member is part of those who died, you must hold President Mahama responsible because he is aware of everything."

According to the prosecution, Asare's remarks suggested that President Mahama was responsible for the helicopter crash that occurred in Akrofuom, located in the Ashanti Region. The statement reportedly caused significant public outcry.

Acting on intelligence, authorities arrested Asare on August 12. He is said to have admitted to making the statement during his caution statement to the police.