Ablakwa To Drag The Citizen Newspaper To Court For Defamation

A Deputy Minister for Information, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa says he would drag the Editor-in-Chief of the citizen newspaper to court for maligning him.

The paper in a story headlined ‘Mepe chiefs after Okudzeto’s blood over disparaging remarks’, reported in its Tuesday, 1st – 7th February 2011 edition that Mr Okudzeto rained insults on the chiefs and people of the area during a durbar on Saturday, December 25 2010.

At the said durbar, the paper alleged that Mr Okudzeto described the chiefs and people of Mepe as wicked, selfish and ungrateful people who are working to destroy the progress of the ruling National Democartic Congress government.

However, Mr Okudzeto has flatly denied this allegation of insults and has threatened to drag the paper and its editor to the law courts to substantiate the allegations.

He was giving his reaction on the Big Bite Show on Xfm 95.1, a privately owned commercial radio station in Accra.

“When I read the report, there is absolutely no shroud of evidence or truth. It is a fabrication aimed at setting me up against the chiefs and people of Mepe”.

“They claimed I rained insults at the festival. The ‘Tsitsoryi’ festival was well attended by several media outlets. It will take more than two months for that newspaper alone to claim that there were insults when there were radio and TV stations and other newspapers. It is clearly aimed at creating a hedge between my humble self and chiefs and people of Mepe”.

Mr Okudzeto says he has directed the matter to his lawyers who have advised him to take the paper on.

“I have contacted my lawyers and serious action would be taken against that paper. It is a shame that some people will hide behind the noble profession- journalism; but that is why laws exist and I am strongly advised to take on the citizen newspaper.”

Story by Abena Asiedua Tenkorang/Xfm 95.1/Accra/Ghana