GNA General Manager Dismisses Charges

The General Manager of the Ghana News Agency, Mr Robert Kafui Johnson yesterday dismissed alleged corruption charges made against him by a former employee and emphasised that he did not engage in corrupt practices.

In a statement to the media on the allegations published in two editions of 'The Statesman' on January 16 and 22, he described them as" damaging" as they portrayed him as engaging in corrupt practices.

"I have not engaged in over-invoicing or under-invoicing and there is no evidence that suggests that I have," said Mr Johnson, who was appointed by the National Media Commission (NMC) in September 2000.

He said that although he had approached the NMC for redress, he was compelled to set the records straight.

"I assure the Ghanaian public that the allegations contained in 'The Statesman's articles are without merit."

Mr Johnson pointed out that the allegations were practically the same as those that were contained in a petition presented by the former employee, Mr Abrams S. Adjei to the then Minister of Media Relations in September last year and published by 'The Guide'.

"It must be noted that 'The Guide' subsequently retracted the publication and rendered an apology to me."

The allegations had been investigated by a Committee of the GNA Board and House Union and found to be false. The appointment of Mr Adjei was terminated early this month after the Board discussed the Committee's report.

Mr Enoch Antwi defeated Mr Adjei for the post of Chairman of the local union last year.

In respect of the allegation that he slashed salaries of workers when pay increases were given and pocketed the change, Mr Johnson wrote: "It is difficult to imagine how I can slash the salaries of workers out of pay increases they had in 1999."