Kojo Yankson stole my Sugar Project - Diabetes Association boss hits back

President of the Diabetes Association of Ghana, Elizabeth Esi Denyo, has launched a blistering attack on Joy FM's Super Morning Show anchor, Kojo Yankson, accusing him of stealing her “Sugar Project” concept.

The Sugar Project, which was launched in 2015 by Kojo Yankson with support from Joy FM, is a campaign to provide easy access to efficient and reliable diabetes testing and education centres and help those living with diabetes manage with a ‘healthy’ lifestyle.

However, speaking to Atinka News Monday, Madam Denyo alleged that, Mr Yankson stole the concept from her.

"Kojo Yankson stole my sugar project. We had agreed to launch the project together but Kojo Yankson went behind me to launch the project. I later instructed my lawyers to write to him,” Esi Denyo alleged.

The Association’s boss is on the offensive following revelation by Joy FM that free insulin meant for children were being diverted.

The investigation conducted by Joy FM revealed differences in figures of insulin sent to the Diabetes Association and what was supplied to listed health facilities.

“In 2013, the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital got 240 strips instead of 730 and 20 lancets instead of 50.

Checks also confirmed that the diabetic clinic at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital did not receive the full consignment as communicated by Madam Denyoh to the donor agency,” the report further stated.

However, Madam Denyo believes “Documentaries and talk shows going on at Joy FM are all mischievous and malicious. These accusations have never happened. We have not sold insulin meant for children in Ghana before, it has always been free and we haven’t diverted insulin meant for children for adults. Insulin meant for adults are different.

“Insulin meant for adults are procured, it goes at a subsidised price and the association has several channels of getting insulin. Sometimes a company can call and say they have insulin expiring in six months, do we want them, can we take it up for GHS10 each. I take it and give it to some hospitals or pharmacies to sell for me. That is not a life for a child insulin. The association has several ways of procuring insulin and we have never sold life for a child insulin before,” she further explained.