Journalist sues Dr Anyaah for libel

Accra, March 24, GNA - Mr Francis Ameyibor, a journalist with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) has sued Dr Felix Kwaku Anyah, Chief Executive Officer of Holy Trinity Spa and Health Farm Centre for libel and seeking aggravated damages.

The writ was issued by Mr Tony Lithur, his lawyer at Accra High Court. The statement of claim said on November 23, 2009, Mr Ameyibor who is a Chief Reporter with the GNA covered the launch of a Handbook on Tourism in Ghana in Accra.

During the programme, the then Majority Leader, Mr Alban Bagbin who was a 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 that day, he submitted the story to the sub-editors, who agreed that he should contact the Defendant for his reaction to the comments made by Mr Bagbin. He said he obtained the Defendants number from a friend and despite several attempts to get him on the phone, he failed to answer the call. Mr Ameyibor called the friend from whom he got the number of the Defendant and requested him to give his name and mobile number to him for his reaction. He said his friend called back to say that the Defendant refused to make the call and rather sent a threat to deal with the Plaintiff if he published any Story about the centre. In the Monday 30, 2009 edition of the Chronicle newspaper, the Defendant caused the publication of a story saying the Plaintiff was demanding GHc 5,000 cedis from him, to kill what he called "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 demanding ransom or alternatively paste a one-sided investment- 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. The 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 he has suffered considerable distress."

Mr Ameyibor said at no point in time did he speak to the Defendant or any member of staff of the Holy Trinity Medical Centre as alleged in the advertiser's announcement of Monday 30, 2009. The Plaintiff is therefore seeking general aggravated and exemplary damages for libel; an order restraining the Defendant from publishing similar or other materials or statements defamatory to him; further or other relieves and costs.