A senior lecturer at the University of Ghana, Professor Ransford Gyampo, says Kumasi-based Oyerepa FM is not fit to be part of the media fraternity in Ghana.

According to him, the decision by Management of the station to yield to a directive by the Manhyia Palace to halt its broadcast, brings its independence into question.

In a Facebook post over the weekend, Professor Gyampo explained that, the media, which is the 'Fourth Estate of the Realm', is a sovereign institution, which must not yield to the control of anybody.

He, therefore, criticised the Management of Oyerepa FM for closing down on the back of a 'suggestion' from the Manhyia Palace to do so.

"In the current impasse between some Chiefs and a radio station, I believe that, regardless of the tone used, the chiefs only suggested the shutdown  of Oyerepa FM. But the owners accepted the suggestion with alacrity, out of fear", Professor Gyampo wrote.

He continued: "The media is the Fourth Estate of the Realm and Oyerapa FM could have respectfully ignored the suggestion and reported their fear of attacks to the Police for protection.

For not doing this, Oyerepa FM and it’s Management are not fit to be counted part of the Fourth Estate of the Realm for their demonstration of morbid fear".

He then emphasised that, "Any blame for the closure of the radio station should therefore be laid at the doorstep of the radio station owners for being weak".

Meanwhile, the Kumasi Traditional Council has granted permission to the Management of Oyerepa FM to resume operation.

This is the outcome of deliberations held on Monday, August 29, three days after the radio station was shut down.

The station closed at the request of the Council as a show of remorse for allowing Akwasi Addai ‘Odike’ to use their platform to verbally attack traditional authority.

But on Monday, August 29, Management of the radio station beseeched the Asokore Mamponghene, Nana Boakye Ansah Debrah to lead the team for the second appearance before the traditional council.

Flanked by some leaders of the Methodist Church of Ghana, a representative of the Chief of Asokore Mampong led the delegation to plead on their behalf.

The former head of the Peace Council, Professor Emmanuel Asante added his voice to the plea.

He revealed that stringent measures have been put in place to ensure panel members on the radio shows do not get opportunities to disrespect authority.

“We came in humility to plead with Asanteman to pardon them. And thanks be to God, they have accepted our request so they have asked them to go back and work", Prof Asante told the media.

All fourteen divisional chiefs of the Kumasi Traditional Council pleaded with the leader of the Council, Banatamahene Baffour Amankwatia VI to forgive Oyerepa FM.

Bantamahene, who chairs the Kumasi Traditional Council said the plea will be forwarded to the Asantehene.