Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Ltd. (SML) has initiated legal action against investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni, alleging defamation over claims made in his book, The President Ghana Never Got.
The lawsuit, filed in Ghana’s High Court, specifically targets Chapter 28, titled The Mother of All Scandals, as well as statements made by Mr Awuni in articles, social media posts, and a documentary.
SML contends that the journalist’s reporting has caused significant reputational damage, leading to public scrutiny and the loss of business opportunities in Tanzania, Kenya, and the Ivory Coast.
According to court filings, SML entered into a contract with the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) on January 1, 2019, to provide transaction audit services and external price verification within the country’s customs operations.
The agreement was expanded in April and October 2019 to include revenue assurance in the downstream petroleum sector.
By October 2023, the contract had been further extended by the Ministry of Finance and the GRA to cover upstream petroleum and minerals revenue audits under a five-year “risk-reward” model.
SML argues that its work has been instrumental in curbing revenue leakages in the petroleum sector, yet Mr Awuni’s characterisation of the deal as a “scandal” has eroded public confidence in its operations.
The lawsuit highlights the journalist’s use of phrases such as “the biggest scam,” “shady deal,” and “the SML scandal” in reference to the company’s contract with the government.
The company accuses Mr Awuni of making “false and misleading” statements that suggest criminal wrongdoing.
SML asserts that, despite granting the journalist access to its facilities and offering a guided tour of its revenue assurance operations, Awuni misrepresented key facts in his reporting.
The lawsuit states that his coverage has negatively impacted SML’s standing in both the petroleum and mining sectors, fueling distrust among stakeholders and the public.
SML is seeking:
- GH₵1 million in general damages for defamation.
- GH₵20 million in exemplary damages for alleged malicious reporting.
- A permanent injunction preventing Awuni from making further defamatory statements about the company.
- A public retraction and apology for the claims made in The President Ghana Never Got.
Mr Awuni has yet to issue a public response to the lawsuit.
