Amoako Tuffuor sues Kwesi Pratt, others for libel

Accra, April 23, GNA - Dr. Amoako Tuffour, former Executive Chairman of the School Feeding Programme, has filed a suit at the Accra High Court against Mr Kwesi Pratt Jnr., a journalist and four others for defamation.

Those joined in the suit are Mr. Ato Ahwoi, Ms. Ama Benyiwa Doe and Mr Samuel Okudzeto-Ablakwa, all politicians, and the Committee for Joint Action, a pressure group.

Dr. Amoako Tuffour is claiming general damages for libel and slander and an injunction restraining them from further publishing or causing to be published similar defamatory words.

In his statement of claim, he said the defendants claiming to be members of the Committee for Joint Action released a press statement in which they demanded that he should be dismissed as Executive Chairman of the School Feeding Programme.

They also said the government must set up an independent public inquiry to investigate the activities of the programme and that all those who were known to have committed fraud or other criminal offences should be prosecuted.

Dr Amoako Tuffour said the press statement dated April 13, 2008 was defamatory.

He said the press statement of the defendants were understood to mean, among other things, that he used resources of the programme to his personal advantage and that of his friends, that he is a thief, stole from the project, supervised looting from the project, is corrupt and a fraud.

"The plaintiff says that the defendants have falsely and maliciously written and published the words complained of even though the plaintiff had persistently made numerous efforts to address perceived and actual lapses within the School Feeding Programme." The suit said the plaintiff had been greatly injured in his credit and reputation.