A LETTER TO THE EDITOR OF ADOM FM 106.3 RADIO

Monday, December 27th, 2010.

Dear Adom 106.3 FM Radio News Editor,

I am a regular listener of your radio station news. On December 06th, 2010, I listened to Adom 106.3 FM Radio 0600 hours' (Ghanaian Time) news, 2200 hours Pacific Time (California). While listening to the news, one of the news broadcasters interviewed a professor of political science in the University of Ghana, Legon (I did not take down his name).

The interview was about how a development plan may be planned and implemented in Ghana to suit our needs. I want to bring to your attention that the so-called professor's answer was plagiarized. He failed to give me credit for the work that I have worked so hard to come out with. He used my words and ideas as his own. This is 'academic dishonesty' and it carries a maximum sentence of a year in prison and/or fine not to exceed $10,000.00 here in California. I can also sue him for damages. I wish to draw your attention to this very important matter and ask you to contact the professor and have him apologize to me on the air and bring this matter to a civilized end. He has up to January 31st, 2011, to comply.

How did you get to know that professor and invite him to talk on the subject-matter for just a minute or two on your radio?

My work is on our current humble president's table and can also be located at www.ghanaweb.com. Go to “Feature Articles” and scroll down to Gyimah, A.P., press on “more” to locate all of the articles I have submitted there. Click on the article titled “A Message to the President of Ghana and Ghanaians.” Please quickly read paragraph nine, and look at the second phase of the paragraph, that begins with, “But, there is one more… entire duration.” Below I have inserted the paragraph nine for your convenience, sir.

“Lastly, you have done extremely well for the Constitutional amendment task you have started. I think that, it is one major achievement Ghanaian historians of different backgrounds will never grade you down, though they may have their own reservations. Its success will substantially help the future generation. But, there is one more item I thought you would mention in your speech. That is, we need a comprehensive development plan to last for 20 years. It should be the team work and collaboration of all constituents/stakeholders, so that under parliamentary endorsement, successive governments will be required to follow through to its entire duration.”

I submitted the work to His Excellency on May the 10th, 2010, and passed it on to the media for publication. The only change the professor made was to change 20 years to 10 years. Everything else he said was exactly as I wrote. He improperly paraphrased my work, and even proper paraphrasing of my entire work, is not a legal way of using my work as his own. Sir, look at how vociferous and proud he was when he answered you. What he did, is a misdemeanor. Immediately he hanged up the phone, I call your office and commented on the professor's criminal act to one of your clerks. The clerk advised me to send in my query in writing and make to your attention, at which point, I promised to send it by the end of the week; however, due to pressure of work I am now addressing the matter to you.

Finally, if you decide to read my articles, please note that I am not the author of the following two articles listed in my name:

1. The Menace of Fake, Substandard Imported Goods
2. Menace of Fake Substandard Imported Goods

Thank for your cooperation and understanding of this very important issue.

cc: Media houses that published the article said article.

Yours honestly,
Mr. A. P. Gyimah