Secretary To Okyenhene Files Ghc 10 Million Defamation Suit Against Hopeson Adorye

Hopeson Adorye

The Secretary to Okyenhene, Daniel Marfo Ofori-Atta, has filed a Ghc 10 million defamation suit against a member of Ghana’s Movement for Change, Hopeson Adorye.

Mr. Ofori-Atta, who is also Secretary to the Ofori Panin Stool, attached Media General, owners of Accra-based TV3 and Onua TV, to his suit.

The Secretary to Okyenhene’s lawsuit follows remarks made by Hopeson Adorye on Onua TV on July 26, 2024 when he appeared as a panellist where “he was given the unfettered and unrestrained opportunity and indeed was encouraged to run an unjustified commentary on and amplify a document called Agyapade.”

“Defamatory” claims

The statement of claim, filed in court on August 14, 2024, quoted Adorye to have made various claims to the effect that he knows those who authored the document and the plaintiff, Mr. Ofori-Atta, co-authored the said Agyapadeɛ document.

“I know… the name of the writer. His name has been mentioned here. He is my very good friend. I will mention his name to you as we are moving on. I will tell you his name,” the Secretary to Okyenhene quoted Adorye as saying.

“His name has been mentioned alongside his co- writers and others. They are in charge of certain things. The technical team led by D M Ofori Atta should further evaluate the following details in order to choose the appropriate sites, galamsey.”

“According to this, they have 332 galamsey companies. They are all here, look, Northern Gold Coast Enterprise, so, so, and so, Wassa Amenfi East, Tarkwa Nsuem Municipal. Every district they are there.

“Prestea, Nzema East … they have divided themselves all over. So, who told you that galamsey can be eradicated? Who told you that? It can be eradicated only if there is a change of government. However, they were kicked out of Parliament.

“If that wasn’t the case, a particular family would have been in charge of all royalties and other benefits from our mineral resources. How can we live in a country like this? They have mapped out areas that cover the entire gold deposit in Ghana. They have taken over all these mapped areas. I mentioned it. D M Ofori Atta. It stated that he is a co-writer.”

“He is a friend of mine, and I know him. And if you glance at the page that talks about the hijacking of GBC (laughs), it will never work. Now, the judiciary governance in Ghana (laughs). It has been stated here in the document. Let’s pack the court so that in the next twenty years they be in control,” Mr. Adorye is quoted as saying.

Reliefs

The Secretary to Okyenhene is praying the court for four reliefs. First, “A declaration that the words uttered bý the Hopeson Adorye on 2nd defendant’s Platform (Onua TV) are defamatory of the Plaintiff.

Second, “recovery of the sum of Ten Million Ghana Cedis (GH$10,000,000.00) as general damages including aggravated and/or exemplary damages for defamation by defendants.

Third, “an apology for and retraction of the words complained of” and lastly, a “perpetual injunction restraining the Defendants (Hopeson Adorye and Media General) whether by themselves, their servants, agents or assigns from repeating similar or other defamatory words against the Plaintiff (Daniel Marfo Ofori-Atta).”