07/05/2025
UPDATES ON CAPTAIN SMART;
Nation Rallies to Retain Captain Smart After Shocking On-Air Resignation on Birthday — But NPP Reportedly Celebrates Exit
Accra – Wednesday, May 7, 2025
Ghana’s media space was jolted on Monday, May 5, 2025, when Captain Smart, one of the most influential and fearless voices on radio and television, announced his resignation live on air—coinciding with his birthday. The unexpected decision sent shockwaves through the nation and triggered an outpouring of support from chiefs, clergy, civil society leaders, and a vast youth following who have since mounted a powerful campaign urging him to stay.
According to insiders at Media General, owners of Onua TV and FM, the resignation came without formal notice and caught even top management and the Board off guard. The company has since begun high-level engagements to reverse the decision, including meetings with Captain Smart’s parents to appeal to him on a personal level.
A National Plea to Stay
The public reaction has been swift and impassioned:
• Over 45 paramount chiefs from various regions have called Media General, describing Captain Smart as “a national asset” and urging immediate dialogue to bring him back.
• Civil society organization (CSO) heads have expressed fear that his absence would weaken democratic scrutiny and embolden political power and corruption.
• A wide spectrum of clergy members, representing both Christian and Islamic faiths, have appealed to his conscience and sense of mission.
• The youth of Ghana, who see Captain Smart as a voice of truth and a symbol of resistance against corruption, have launched spontaneous campaigns on social media under hashtags like and .
A source close to the Office of the National Chief Imam confirmed that a special meeting has been scheduled for Thursday, May 8, to coordinate broader national efforts to convince Captain Smart to rescind his decision.
Media General Moves Swiftly
Executives at Media General are said to be “deeply concerned” about the implications of the resignation. One manager said “Captain Smart is more than a broadcaster—he’s a movement. His exit would not only affect our platform but the national discourse itself.”
A Cause for Celebration in NPP Circles?
While the general public mourns the loss of a trusted voice, sources within the New Patriotic Party (NPP) have expressed a very different sentiment—relief. Party insiders have reportedly welcomed the resignation, viewing it as a break from persistent media scrutiny.
One senior party member, speaking off the record, remarked:
“Captain Smart has been a thorn in the side of the NANA Addo led government and the NPP as a party. His morning shows drove narratives that created enormous pressure on us a party and government. Politically, this is a breather.”
According to political analysts, Smart's bold commentary often held government figures accountable and shaped public opinion in ways that unsettled power. His departure, even if temporary, could open up space for less contested narratives in the media landscape.
Togbe Manklalo Kwesi Nego IV of Mepe in the Volta Region described the development as “a national emergency of sorts.”
“This is bigger than one resignation. This is about the voice of the people. If Captain Smart exits, it’s not just a loss to Media General — it’s a setback for press freedom, civic activism, and the fight for accountability.”
However, civil society leaders warn that such a political vacuum could be dangerous.
“If media voices like Captain Smart go silent, governance becomes opaque, and accountability suffers,” said a prominent think tank director.
The Silence Before the Decision
Captain Smart has not made any public statement since his resignation, but sources close to him describe him as “emotionally overwhelmed” by the national outpouring of love and support. Whether he will reconsider remains uncertain—but the nation waits.
One Voice, One Nation
As Ghana looks ahead to a year filled with political, economic, and social complexities, many believe that the absence of a voice like Captain Smart’s would leave a dangerous void. Whether he returns or not, his resignation has already ignited a national conversation—not just about freedom of expression, but about the very soul of Ghanaian democracy.
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