A former Energy Minister Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, aka “Napo” has filed a defamation suit against two media outlets seeking GHC20 million in damages over allegations that he was involved in a scheme to sabotage electricity supply in parts of the Ashanti Region.
The suit, filed through Sarkodie Baffour Awuah & Partners, also names a radio and television host, Salifu Maase, aka Mugabe Maase as defendant.
Claims
The plaintiff alleges that during a programme titled “Inside Politics,” broadcast on TV XYZ and Power 97.9 FM, the host aired an audio recording from an anonymous source which accused him of paying District Engineers of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) in the Ashanti Region to deliberately disrupt power supply.
Court filings state that the recording contained claims that several ECG district engineers and political figures allegedly met and received payments, and that instructions were given to switch off electricity in parts of the region.
The plaintiff contends the allegations are false, malicious, and damaging to his reputation, adding that they portray him as engaging in unlawful conduct and undermining national interest.
He further argues that the publication has caused harm to his public image built through years of public service, including recognition from institutions such as the University of Professional Studies, Accra.
Reliefs
According to court documents, Napo is asking for a declaration that statements broadcast on TV XYZ and Power 97.9 FM on 4 May 2026, are defamatory, alongside an order compelling an unqualified retraction and apology to be published with equal prominence within seven days of judgment.
He is also seeking a perpetual injunction to restrain the defendants and their agents from further publishing what he describes as defamatory material, as well as an order preventing the media platforms from being used to disseminate false and malicious claims about him.
The suit demands costs including legal fees and any other reliefs the court may deem appropriate.
Saboteurs warned
Meanwhile, the Minister for Energy and Green Transition, Dr. John Abdulai Jinapor, has issued a stern warning that government will deal rigorously with any individual or group attempting to sabotage the country’s power supply systems.
Speaking to officials of the Electricity Company of Ghana during his tour of project sites in the Ashanti Region on Friday, Dr. Jinapor stressed government’s commitment to ensuring constant power supply.
He however emphasized that, s no one would be allowed to derail that effort.
“So please give me your best and we will support you in any way we can, but let nobody sabotage the system. Don’t take me there, it will be very rough for both of us,” the minister said.
He noted that the ministry is ready to provide full support to industry players, particularly ECG, but will demand accountability.
“I know you can deliver and so I urge you to deliver,” he told ECG officials.
Expertise
Citing Ghanaian engineering expertise, Dr. Jinapor referenced emergency repairs at Akosombo: “I have no doubt about Ghanaian technology and engineers. Look at what happened at Akosombo, originally it was supposed to take six months, but you fixed the problem in five days.”
The minister urged ECG officials to immediately report any problems likely to cause disruptions.
As part of the tour, Dr. Jinapor visited the ongoing transformer upgrades at Anwomaso, as well as the sites of CENIT Energy, ASKA Power Thermal, and other key energy projects aimed at improving power reliability in the Ashanti Region.
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