AUDIO: Manhyia Palace Smokes Peace Pipe with Media, Forms Press Corps

As a means of ending the hostility between the media in the Ashanti Region and the Manhyia Palace, authorities of the palace have announced plans to set up a press corps for Palace activities.

This is expected to aid journalists in getting direct access to the palace for other relevant information from the Asante King and his subordinate chiefs within the Asante Kingdom.

The move will also put an end to the harassment journalists go through in covering events at the Manhyia palace.

Senior Journalists in Kumasi in January last year, blacklisted Otumfuo Osei II whiles covering the 80th anniversary of the Ashanti Confederacy after their colleagues were manhandled by some palace guards.

Speaking in interview with Ultimate Fm’s Isaac Bediako, Otumfuo Mawerehene Baffour Brentuo Osei Hyiaman V is hopeful the formation of Manhyia press corps will promote effective working relationship between the media and the palace.

“There have been turbulent times where the media have been on Manhyia and Manhyia’s reaction has not been of the best. We have all now learnt our lessons and our new relationship will forge ahead in the development of the Manhyia to properly disseminate information”, he observed.

Meanwhile Journalists in Kumasi have welcomed the decision from the palace.

Kinsley Hope Ashanti regional secretary of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) is particularly elated Manhyia has decided to give journalists the recognition considering the status of the palace.

“Sometimes you go there and getting a seat is a problem. Manhyia being a very high profile area I think it is laudable”, he said.

Credit: Ultimate Fm