‘Retract and apologize’ — Ablakwa threatens to sue Jonnie Hughes over “fake” scholarship claim

Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has threatened legal action against Jonnie Hughes, a broadcast journalist with Accra-based 3FM.

This follows what the lawmaker describes as an unverified claim that he benefited from a government scholarship.

In a social media post on Saturday, April 13, Mr. Ablakwa debunked reports of being awarded a scholarship. He warns those circulating "this malicious and fake GNPC Foundation Foreign Scholarship list" to treat it "with utter contempt."

He expressed disappointment that some journalists, including Johnnie Hughes, published the allegedly defamatory list "without conducting the basic ethical and professional journalistic requirement of verification."

"I hope these journalists and other known persons engaged in this odious conduct will immediately retract and apologize. May I add that I have consequently brought these publications to the attention of my lawyers and would give an indication of my next steps in the coming days,” wrote the North Tongu MP.

The conversation regarding scholarship comes after an investigative piece by The Fourth Estate uncovered that some politically connected Ghanaians had benefited from government scholarships meant for needy citizens.

Joyce Bawa Mogtari, Special Aide to NDC flagbearer John Mahama, Felix Kwakye Ofosu and Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa were among those listed, though they have denied ever applying for or receiving such an award.