High Court orders posting of writ on Dr Anyah's properties

Accra, June 29, GNA - An Accra High Court has ordered that copies of service of writ of summons and statement of claim be posting on the properties of Dr Felix Kwaku Anyah, Chief Executive Officer of Holy Trini ty Spa and Health Farm Centre.

The order of substituted service was directed by Mr Justice Patrick Baayeh on June 10, 2010 that the writ of summons be posted on the High Co urt's notice board in Accra. Other places include Holy Trinity Clinic at North Kaneshie and Dr An yah's residence at House No. 96, Trassaco Estate in Accra for 10 days. The court gave the directive in the case in which Mr Francis Ameyibo r, a journalist with Ghana News Agency (GNA) sued Dr Anyah for libel and sou ght aggravated damages. The writ was filed by Mr Tony Lithur, an Accra-based lawyer. The statement of claim said on November 23, 2009, Mr Ameyibor, Chief

Reporter with GNA covered the launch of a Handbook on Tourism in Ghana in Accra. During the programme Former Majority Leader, Mr Alban S.K. Bagbin, t he Special Guest of Honour, complained about the poor services at the centre

and the bad work ethics of the waiters. The plaintiff said at about 1700 hours on that day, he submitted the

story to the sub-editors who agreed that he (plaintiff) should contact th e defendant (Dr Anyah) for his reaction to the comments made by Mr Bagbin. Plaintiff said he obtained defendant's mobile number from a friend a nd despite several attempts to get him on phone he (defendant) failed to ans wer the call. He called his friend who gave him the mobile number and requested hi m to give his name and mobile number to the defendant for his reaction. Plaintiff said his friend called back to say that defendant refused to make the call and rather sent a threat that he would deal with the plaintiff if he published any story about the centre. He said in the Monday, November 30, 2009 edition of the Ghanaian Chronicle newspaper, the defendant caused the publication of a story sayi ng plaintiff was demanding GH¢5,000 from him (defendant) to kill what he c alled "a negative story". The defendant was quoted as saying: "What is the code of ethics including checks and balances in the Ghana News Agency that would prevent

their staff to demand ransom or alternatively paste a one-sided investmen t- damaging view of one person on Ghana web?" The statement of claim said the defamatory words were the subject of

newspaper reviews on radio stations. Plaintiff said the publication was calculated to ridicule, belittle

and bring his reputation into disrepute. "By reason of the said publication, the plaintiff has severely been

damaged in his character and reputation and has suffered considerable distress," it added. Plaintiff said at no point in time did he speak to the defendant or any member of staff of the centre as alleged in the advertiser's announcement of Monday 30, 2009. He is therefore seeking general aggravated and exemplary damages for

libel; an order restraining the defendant from publishing similar or othe r materials or statements defamatory to him; further or other relieves and costs.

Most traders not aware of implementation of new pay policy on July 1

Accra, June 29, GNA - A survey conducted by Ghana News Agency (GNA) has revealed that most market women are not aware of the impending implementation of the Single Spine Pay Policy (SSPP) on July 1. Though with limitations, the survey which was conducted among trader s at the Tema Station area in Accra, sought to provide a fair idea about th e likely effect of the implementation of the single spine salary structure on the prices of goods and services. It particularly aimed at ascertaining the likelihood of traders cash ing in on the anticipated salary increase to push up the prices of their good s arbitrarily. Some of the traders said it would be sheer greed if prices of goods and services were increased because of the anticipated salary increase for government workers. Others said since they were not aware of the SSPP, they would not increase the prices of their goods yet, but that they would increase the prices only if there was an increase from the wholesalers, since they operate for profit. Some of them contended that increases in the price of fuel was what would necessitate increases in the prices of their goods automatically, b ut that an increase in the salary of government workers would rather create a good market for them since the workers would be able to make more purchas es. Indirectly, therefore, they would also benefit from the increase sin ce government workers would have additional money in their pockets to spend. "Since sales for the last few months have been low, we think this is

the right time to make better sales," said one trader. Other traders said they could not differentiate between government workers and those in the private sector, so it would be unfair on their p art to increase prices of goods and services.