Oguaa Traditional Council fines broadcaster

The Oguaa Traditional Council has fined broadcaster, Ato Trustworthy, GH¢30,000 for making disparaging comments about the Omanhen, Osabarimba Kwesi Atta II, on the TikTok social media platform.

The broadcaster, after offering an apology to the council, was also directed to present three rams as part of the atonement process, one of them for Nananom (the chiefs), another for the Asafo companies.

The traditional council further directed that the broadcaster would carry the third sheep through the town, from the London Bridge, where the sacred statue of the land’s totem, the crab, stands, through MELCOM,  the Cape Coast Castle, and finally to the Emitsimadze Palace, where it will be purified by Nananom as part of reconciliatory rituals.

The traditional council also asked Mr Trustworthy to provide 12 bottles of Schnapps.

Nananom gave Mr Trustworthy 14 days to pay the fine and fulfil all other obligations he was directed to undertake to seal the forgiveness and signify the cleansing for the offence.

This was after the Oguaamanhen, Osabarimba Kwesi Atta II, and his council of chiefs officially accepted an apology from the media personality.

Remorseful

At a meeting to apologise at the Emintsimadze Palace last Monday following a recent incident that drew public attention and cultural concern, Mr Trustworthy was cautioned not to repeat the behaviour.

This was after an earlier attempt to apologise to the traditional council was  rejected by the traditional council.

This second offer of apology, which was tendered in person, was not only verbal but accompanied by traditional protocols and a significant show of humility from Mr Trustworthy, who was accompanied by Rev. Fr Joojo Gyepi-Garbrah of the Anglican Diocese of Cape Coast, a respected clergyman and former broadcaster with Radio Central.

After deliberations, the council of chiefs accepted the apology but issued specific traditional directives as a condition for full spiritual and communal reconciliation.

Uphold cultural values

The Omanhen, in his remarks, emphasised the importance of upholding cultural values and respect for traditional authority, especially from individuals in the media space who held public influence.

“The palace is a place of peace and reconciliation. We welcome Ato Trustworthy’s remorse, but tradition must be followed for peace to prevail,” Osabarimba said.

Mr Trustworthy, appearing humble, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to make amends and pledged to fulfil the directives accordingly.

Rev. Fr Gyepi-Garbrah also thanked the chiefs for their wisdom and open-heartedness in allowing space for reconciliation.

Mr Trustworthy had made a TikTok live post denigrating the Omanhen for an incident that had happened during a recent durbar to mark the 2025 Pan-African Historical Theatre Festival (PANAFEST).