Member of Parliament for North-Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has hinted at suing a broadcast journalist working with Media General, Johnnie Beresford Hughes over GNPC scholarship allegation.
On Saturday, April 13, 2024, Johnnie Hughes shared a photo containing the names of several key members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) who were allegedly recipients of the GNPC Foundation Foreign Scholarship Scheme.
Among the names mentioned were Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, John Jinapor, Joyce Bawah Mogtari, and Felix Kwakye Ofosu.
Following the publication of the document by the journalist on his social media platform, it sparked a wave of denials from all individuals mentioned. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa even hinted at the possibility of taking legal action in response.
In light of the developments, Johnnie Hughes has extended an apology to the individuals named in the list. However, he clarified that his intention was not to imply any wrongdoing on the part of those mentioned by sharing the document.
In his statement, Hughes expressed regret for any offense caused by his post, acknowledging that it had been subject to various interpretations and connotations, including political ones.
He emphasized that he had promptly shared the rejoinders from Honorable Ablakwa, Jinapor, and Mogtari on the same post, while awaiting an official response from GNPC.
“Friends, let me first of all state that my post with the caption “Odaseni” is without malice or ill intention.
“Perhaps, I should have added a few more words to the caption, “Odaseni”, or maybe posed the question I had in my mind when I decided to make a post on what is now clear to a section of the public, as a calculated form of equalisation for The 4th Estate’s ‘SCHOLARSHIP BONANZA’.
“Since I was hesitant in doing same, and also for the fact that my post has been given many different interpretations and connotations for various reasons (including political), I owe it a duty to sincerely apologise to all persons who feel slighted by my post.
“Within the hour, I have given the same weight of prominence to the rejoinders of Hons. Ablakwa, Jinapor and Mogtari on the same post and have accordingly shared their respective posts while awaiting GNPC’s official response.
“Unfortunately, I am unable to share my source as a Journalist and I take full responsibility for what I posted. Thank you,” he posted on social media.
