Ghana’s Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, has filed a lawsuit against Blessed Godsbrain Smart, popularly known as Captain Smart, the host of Onua TV’s Morning Show, for alleged defamation. The legal action comes after Captain Smart made statements on his show accusing Ofori-Atta of taking a 10% share of the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) $3 billion bailout intended for Ghana.
During the broadcast, Captain Smart is reported to have said, “Are you aware that Ken Ofori-Atta has taken his 10% of the IMF money? [For] Every loan we take, he takes 10%.” The Finance Minister’s legal team argues that these statements falsely depict Ofori-Atta as corrupt.
In the lawsuit, Ofori-Atta is seeking a recovery of Ten Million Ghana Cedis (GH¢10,000,000.00) as general damages, including aggravated and/or exemplary damages for defamation caused by the libelous statement made by Captain Smart. Additionally, the Finance Minister is requesting a perpetual injunction that would prevent Captain Smart, his servants, agents, or assigns from making similar or other defamatory remarks about him.
The lawsuit also stipulates that Captain Smart issue an apology and retract the defamatory statement he made about Ofori-Atta.
In the meantime, Ghana’s request for a $3 billion bailout over three years to support the country’s recovery has been approved by the IMF. The immediate release of $600 million marks the initial stage of the transaction between Ghana and the IMF.