Wereko-Brobby files one billion cedis writ

... against "Chronicle".....
... Minority Chief Whip next on his list
Accra, April 28,GNA - The Volta River Authority (VRA) and its Chief Executive, Dr Charles Wereko-Brobby have filed a writ at the High Court in Accra against the 'Ghanaian Chronicle' asking for one billion cedis damages for libel.

The suit issued by Kofi Aboagye and Co is against the Chronicle Media Limited, Mr. A.C. Ohene, Editor of the Ghanaian Chronicle and Mr John Bediako, Staff Writer of the newspaper.

The writ filed on April 14, seeks exemplary damages of one billion cedis for libel of VRA and its Chief Executive as well as the granting of a perpetual injunction to restrain the newspaper to desist from publishing further defamatory articles against the VRA and its Chief Executive. The said articles were published in the Chronicle on December 16, 2003 and January 28, 2003.

A statement signed by Dr Wereko-Brobby said since the writ was filed, the newspaper had published "further scurrilous and offending articles" against the Authority and its Chief Executive.

It said the Authority intended to file the requisite amendments to the original writ to cover the latest allegations and if necessary seek further damages for the additional libel contained in the said publications.

The statement said VRA had taken the court action in order to offer the newspaper "ample opportunity" in a court to substantiate and establish beyond every possible doubt "the series of malicious allegations and accusations that the newspaper has rained systematically on the Authority over the past several months".

The statement said VRA had chosen not to use its constitutional right of rejoinder because "the very grave and serious nature of the accusations and charges made against it required that they be proven or exposed a! s lies that they are".

"In our view, the most proper and re sponsible way to dispel these charges or for the Chronicle to prove its case, is to bring the matter before the judicial courts of this country who have the statutory responsibility to establish the facts or otherwise of alleged criminal conduct on the part of the Authority."

The statement said the VRA believes that its action constitutes "a defining moment" for the practice of journalism and accountability of public office holders under the Constitution.

It said VRA recognises the right of journalists to publish the truth.

"By the same token, we also believe that public office holders, and indeed all citizens of Ghana, are entitled to the full protection of the laws of the land especially the rigorous defence of their integrity, moral character and good standing. "The VRA and its Chief Executive are confident that their policies and actions have been carried out in the best interest of Ghana a! nd would stand every scrutiny in terms of their integrity, transparency and soundness."

It said in spite of the very low level of water in the Akosombo Dam, the VRA would continue to meet the power requirements of all its customers to the full.

Tarzan To Sue Doe Adjaho

The Chief Executive of the Volta River Authority (VRA), Dr Charles Wereko-Brobbey alias Tarzan says he will take legal action against the Minority Chief Whip for alleging that he and the top management of VRA have offered themselves a 300 per cent pay rise in contrast to a meager 35 per cent offered to ordinary workers.

He described the Mr Doe Adjaho’s allegation as completely false adding that negotiations were still ongoing with the workers union on salary increment.

Dr Wereko-Brobbey told JOY FM in an interview that the VRA is dragging Mr Adjaho to court to proof his allegation failure of which the authority will seek damages against him. The VRA boss has already petitioned the Speaker of Parliament on the issue.

But Mr Doe Adjaho told JOY FM that the minority has evidence to back its claim. ''We know as the minority that the security agencies have written to President about matters of salary increases and we are expecting the President to handle Dr Wereko-Brobbey, but again it is very interesting. He should have told us how much he is earning now and how much he is supposed to earn in his letter of appointment''.
The Minority Chief Whip also described Dr Wereko Brobbey’s reaction as a desperate attempt to ward off attention to the issues raised in the minority’s statement. He wondered why Tarzan did not wait for the Speaker’s response on the issue but hurriedly rushed to the state-owned Daily Graphic with a copy of the petition, which was published on Saturday.