Reporter Admits Bribery Allegation

The Ghanaian Times reporter, Mr. William Fayorsey alleged to have demanded a bribe of ?5,000,000 from Mr. Jakdish Lakhiani, Managing Director of Blowpast in order to drop a story of harassment of a Ghanaian employee, has admitted the allegation.

Fayorsey was speaking in an interview yesterday on JOY FM.

He confessed requesting for the money but with no intention of dropping the story as being alleged. The reporter alleged that, the Manager masterminded the 'deal' which has become the bone of contention.

He quoted Lakhiani as saying 'when it comes to such cases money can solve everything,' when the latter requested that the matter be settled clandestinely without the knowledge of the authorities.

He further alleged that the Manager is used to bribing journalists and that it was unfortunate his case has assumed the current dimension.

Although Fayorsey conceded that the voice on the tape demanding the money was his, it has been doctored in such a way as to favour the complainant. He contended that the said tape could only record a fifteen minute conversation and that his side was tampered with.

It will be recalled that early this week the Ghanaian Times newspaper reported that an expatriate Mr. Lakhiani who is also the Managing Director of Blowpast harassed a Ghanaian employee by hitting him in the groin and other sensitive parts of his body.

There was a twist to the story when the Indian went on air and played a tape he surreptitiously recorded during a conversation between him and the reporter.

The management of New Times Corperation, publishers of the Ghanaian Times have instituted an indepth investigation into the matter. The Ethics Committee of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has also lauded the decision of the management on the matter.