A private legal practitioner has encouraged government appointees and anyone else named in Prof. Frimpong-Boateng’s report on galamsey to consider legal action if they believe they have been defamed.
Lawyer Kofi Bekai believes the continuing public war between the former Environment Minister and those he accuses of illicit mining is harmful.
He described what transpired as terrible, especially since the president had put his trust in people and formed a committee to assist him in dealing with galamsey.
He told Nyankonton Mu Nsem on Rainbow Radio 87.5Fm that, despite the president’s faith in individuals and the formation of a committee to combat galamsey, he had heard of missing excavators. So you failed to complete the task assigned to you and have embarrassed the president.
“If you believe someone has defamed you by publishing false claims, you have the right to sue and seek restitution.” However, when it comes to defamation, there are two issues that must be addressed. When you claim for defamation as a public officer in the United States, you will be advised that public officers must be scrutinised. When suing for defamation, you must ensure that the claims made by the person you are suing are true. If the claims are also true, you will not be held liable.”
“If you are a public officer and believe you have been defamed, go to court and win the media war,” he said. If you go to court, the individual making the claims will be summoned to respond.”
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
