Outspoken journalist and TV personality Blessed Godsbrain Smart, popularly known as Captain Smart, has found himself at the center of a storm following his controversial remarks on the Maakye morning show, which airs on Onua TV. During the July 11, 2024, broadcast, Captain Smart launched a scathing attack on Ghanaians who intend to vote for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the upcoming elections, labeling them as “animals.”
Fuming with passion, Captain Smart directed his tirade at supporters of the “Bawumia-NAPO” presidential ticket, a reference to Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and his running mate, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh (NAPO). “You are an animal if you vote for NPP,” he said bluntly. He further elaborated, “Only a senseless human being would vote for Dr. Bawumia and NAPO. Your sense has been thrown to the floor, trampled on, and left to decay.”
Captain Smart’s harsh language didn’t stop there. He continued to berate potential NPP voters, accusing them of being unpatriotic. “Anyone who has no love for his country is no human but an animal, a beast!” he emphasized.
The remarks have ignited widespread backlash, with many calling them unprofessional and inflammatory. The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has been at the forefront of condemning Captain Smart’s comments. During a press briefing held on July 16, 2024, GJA President Albert Kwabena Dwumfour expressed deep concern over the journalist’s remarks.
“We heard the disturbing and reckless comments of Blessed Godsbrain Smart, aka Captain Smart, where he described voters of the New Patriotic Party as ‘beasts,’” Dwumfour said. He emphasized that such utterances violate ethical journalism standards and called on Media General, the parent company of Onua TV and FM, to take immediate disciplinary action against Captain Smart. “This will not only serve as a deterrent to others but will also restore public confidence in the media organization as one that detests unprofessional conduct,” Dwumfour added.
Various civil society groups and media stakeholders have also condemned Captain Smart’s statements, warning that such language is divisive and undermines democratic discourse. Calls for sanctions against the journalist have grown louder, with many urging Media General to uphold its ethical standards and take decisive action.
As the December 2024 elections approach, tensions are expected to rise, and Captain Smart’s incendiary comments have sparked concern over the role of the media in maintaining peace and order during the election season. Whether disciplinary action will be taken remains to be seen, but the incident has once again put the spotlight on the need for responsible journalism in Ghana’s increasingly polarized political environment.
