An Accra High Court has found the National Communication Officer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Sammy Gyamfi guilty of defamation against Minister of Energy, Matthew Opoku Prempreh.
Sammy Gyamfi, at a press conference held in June 2019, stated that one Seidu Yakubu MBA, suspected of being involved in the kidnapping of the two Canadian girls, is the errand boy of Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, was then the Education Minister.
But an Accra High Court presided over by Justice Charles Gyamfi Danquah, in a judgement delivered on Thursday, October 13, 2022 found Sammy Gyamfi’s statements to be defamatory.
The Court has therefore asked Sammy Gyamfi to pay GH₵500, 000 to Dr Opoku Prempeh, who doubles as Member of Parliament for Manhyia South.
The NDC’s National Communications Officer has also been ordered to publish a retraction and an apology to Dr Opoku Prempeh.
Background
Sometime in 2019, two Canadian female students were kidnapped in Ghana by gunmen, but they were later rescued in Kumasi by the Ghanaian police.
The two students, aged 19 and 20, were working as volunteers for a charity when they were seized.
However, Sammy Gyamfi, at a press conference held in June 2019, said there was a “connection” and a “relationship” between Dr Opoku Prempeh popularly referred to as NAPO [Nana Poku] and Seidu Yakubu, also known as “MBA”.
“Seidu’s association with the NPP is more than meets the eye. He is alleged to be the personal bodyguard of the Asokore Mampong MCE, Alhaji Alidu Seidu, and an errand boy for both Manhyia MP, Hon Mathew Opoku Prempeh and Ashanti Regional Chairman of the NPP, Bernard Antwi Boasiako (aka Wontumi),” he further stated.
Lawyers for Matthew Opoku Prempeh wrote to Sammy Gyamfi demanding retraction and apology of the said allegation.
But Mr Sammy Gyamfi in a response said he will not, saying “I have no apology to render to Matthew Opoku Prempah or retract my statement about him. If someone makes a statement saying it is alleged, does that make his pronouncement defamatory or malicious?”
This then led to Dr Opoku Prempeh filing a suit at the Accra High Court to seek redress
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