Complaint Settlement

The National Media Commission has determined a complaint lodged by Mr. J.K.L. Nkansah, an Engineer of the Shama Ahanta East Metropolitan Assembly against the Ghanaian Chronicle.

The complaint was in respect of a Ghanaian Chronicle publication of 27th November 1998. In the said publication, the Ghanaian Chronicle published a chain of allegations against the then Chief Executive of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly, Nana Kwasi Agyeman.

According to Mr. Nkansah, the publication gave the impression that he (Mr. Nkansah), who was then an employee of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly, had granted a prior interview to a reporter of the Ghanaian Chronicle and given information about the disappearance of some heavy-duty vehicle tyres, which formed the subject matter of the publication.

He stated that the story resulted in his employers doubting his sincerity and integrity, and this nearly caused his dismissal. He was subsequently transferred to the Shama Ahanta East Metropolitan Assembly. This was before he could clear his name.

He therefore sought a retraction of the story and an apology to redeem his lost image and reputation.

In his response, Mr. A.C. Ohene, the acting Editor of the Chronicle admitted that there was the need to restore the lost image and reputation of Mr. Nkansah and expressed his willingness to retract the story as it related to him and apologise to him.

The Commission found out, as a fact, that the story as it related to Mr. Nkansah is not borne out of any evidence.

The Commission has therefore directed that:

1) The Ghanaian Chronicle should retract the story and apologise unconditionally to Mr. Nkansah.

2) The Ghanaian Chronicle should also send a personal written apology to Mr. Nkansah.

3) The retraction and apology should be published in two continuous issues of the newspaper and given enough prominence.

4) The directives should be carried out within 14 days of the statement.

Nutifafa Kuenyehia, Chairman