In a strongly worded response to recent media claims, Friends of Democracy-Ghana (FoD-Ghana) has called on Okatakyie Afrifa Mensah, a broadcast journalist with Angel TV, to retract his allegations against Rt. Hon. Alban Bagbin, Speaker of Parliament. The organization has condemned the claims as false, malicious, and an attempt to tarnish the reputation of the Speaker of Parliament.
The controversy arose after Okatakyie Afrifa Mensah reportedly claimed that Speaker Bagbin received one million dollars from a businessman. According to FoD-Ghana, these allegations are unfounded and part of a broader effort by political enemies to undermine the Speaker’s integrity and public service record. FoD-Ghana maintains that such claims are not only baseless but also deliberately designed to damage the reputation of a longstanding public servant known for his integrity.
FoD-Ghana’s Denouncement of the Allegations
In its statement, FoD-Ghana made it clear that the claims made by Afrifa Mensah were a deliberate smear campaign aimed at attacking Speaker Bagbin’s character. The organization described the accusations as a “blatantly mischievous orchestration” intended to mislead the public and discredit a leader who has been steadfast in his commitment to the people of Ghana.
The group underscored that the Speaker has been a model of integrity throughout his long career in public service, highlighting his reputation for being truthful, trustworthy, and incorruptible. FoD-Ghana also pointed out the absurdity of Afrifa Mensah’s failure to reveal the source of the alleged one million dollars, further questioning the veracity of the claims. The organization also questioned the motives behind the accusations, asserting that they were part of a wider plot to undermine the Speaker’s credibility.
The Call for Accountability
FoD-Ghana issued a clear message to Afrifa Mensah, calling for him to either provide concrete evidence to support his allegations or issue a public apology. The group criticized the journalist for using his platform to spread unverified information rather than focusing on his role in holding public officials accountable through professional journalism.
The statement also addressed the broader political context, accusing certain groups of orchestrating the attacks to discredit the Speaker because of his stance against what they view as the government’s “dictatorial leadership.” The organization argued that such actions were counterproductive to the development of Ghana’s democracy, as they create unnecessary divisions and harm public trust in political leaders.
FoD-Ghana’s Reaffirmation of Speaker Bagbin’s Integrity
FoD-Ghana reiterated its full support for Rt. Hon. Alban Bagbin, emphasizing that he has maintained an impeccable record of public service. The group noted that the Speaker has consistently served the country with dedication and integrity, and his leadership in Parliament has been marked by fairness and a commitment to the advancement of democracy.
In conclusion, FoD-Ghana demanded that Okatakyie Afrifa Mensah either substantiate his claims with credible evidence or issue a full apology. The organization stated that failure to do so would lead them to pursue further actions to protect the Speaker’s honor and integrity.
Below is the full statement from Friends of Democracy-Ghana:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
26TH NOVEMBER, 2024.
RE: BAGBIN MUST EXPLAIN WHY HE RECEIVED ONE MILLION DOLLARS FROM A BUSINESSMAN
The Friends of Democracy-Ghana has taken notice of widespread media reportage and publications with the above caption attributed to one Okatakyie Afrifa Mensah, a broadcast journalist with Angel TV owned by Angel Broadcasting Company. Not only is this claim by the said Okatakyie Afrifa Mensah false and mischievous, it is vicious and a fabrication by the perpetrator and his paymasters to dent the image and reputation of the venerable Rt. Hon. Alban Bagbin, Speaker of the Parliament of Ghana.
This blatantly mischievous orchestration by Okatakyie Afrifa Mensah being buoyantly spread by evil and fickle minds cannot represent the truth in the sight of right-thinking Ghanaians who know and appreciate the Speaker of Parliament as steadfast, truthful, trustworthy, and incorruptible.
It defies common sense and logic that for the many, many threats issued by Okatakyie for the Speaker to respond to his allegations, the source of the said corrupt or bribery money continues to remain under wraps without any attempt by the accuser to come clean and clear. This penchant of doing everything to destroy anyone who stands up to the dictatorial leadership of the government is counterproductive to the deepening of democracy in Ghana.
It should be put on record that for all his long stellar years of public service, the Rt. Hon. Bagbin has maintained a leadership of integrity with a commitment to a legacy of enviable service to his people.
Okatakyie Afrifa Mensah should concentrate on his job of keeping duty bearers accountable by the dictates of his chosen profession rather than kowtow to be used as a hatchet man for any group of people on a desperate hunt to give the Speaker a bad name in an attempt to hang him. Assuming but not admitting that Speaker Bagbin collected money from a private businessman and has failed to perform his obligations to the satisfaction of the businessman, how does that constitute corruption? Afrifa Mensah must prove his baseless allegations against the Speaker or offer an unreserved apology or forever keep his peace.
…..signed……..
Awudu Ishaq
Secretary, FoD-Ghana
