A United States court has ruled against former Ghanaian Member of Parliament for Assin Central, Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, ordering him to pay $18 million in damages to investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas over defamatory comments made in a television interview.
The Essex County Superior Court delivered the judgement in response to Anas’ lawsuit against Agyapong, who had accused him of criminal activities during an appearance on The Daddy Show, hosted by U.S.-based Ghanaian presenter Frederick Asamoah, on 7 September 2021.
During the broadcast, Agyapong referred to Anas as a “criminal” and a “thief,” while also implicating him in the murder of fellow investigative journalist Ahmed Suale and the deaths of Chinese nationals in Ghana. The allegations were widely circulated and sparked significant controversy in both Ghana and international media.
According to court documents, the presiding judge, Jeffrey B. Beacham, J.S.C., found that Agyapong’s statements were not only false but also damaging to Anas’ reputation and professional standing. The judgement emphasised the gravity of the defamatory remarks and the potential harm caused to the journalist’s credibility and safety.
In his ruling, Judge Beacham noted the jury’s verdict in favour of Anas, stating that a monetary judgement of $18 million was necessary to compensate for reputational damage and to deter future defamatory conduct. The court also referenced legal precedents highlighting the importance of maintaining credibility and accountability in public statements, especially from individuals with significant influence.
Anas, known for his undercover journalism exposing corruption and misconduct, has yet to publicly comment on the ruling.
