Professor Dr Dr Otchere Addai-Mensah,  Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) has commenced a legal action at the Kumasi High against Kwame Adofo for causing irreparable damage to his reputation and image.

In a writ of summons filed on Monday, 27th May, 2024, Prof Addai-Mensah who is described as Plaintiff said the publications of falsehood on his person by Kwame Adofo who is referred to as Defendant has been defamatory and has caused him pain.

These publications by the defendant on his Facebook timeline, the KATH CEO in a statement of claim said have had effect on his person, adding that it amounts to defamation of his character.

Background:

Kwame Adofo, a lawyer, served as the legal representative of KATH for five years.

After expiration of his contract with KATH, almost two years ago, the management of the hospital opened up for all qualified lawyers to apply for the position which was publicly advertised.

KATH, after fulfilling all procedures including interviews of the applicants, selected Lawyer Nana Fredua Agyeman Osborne as its legal representative.

Lawyer Adofo has since the expiration of his contract with KATH, his former employer, taken to Facebook to berate and sometimes attack the integrity of the CEO, Prof Otchere Addai-Mensah including claims of financial impropriety.

Reliefs:

The KATH CEO by his legal action is asking the court to declare that the words and statements as well as others uttered and published by the defendant (Adofo) on his Facebook timeline and contained in statement of claim as defamatory of his (Addai-Mensah) character.

Prof Addai-Mensah also asks the court  to order the defendant to publish in three subsequent editions in the Daily Graphic Newspaper unqualified retractions and apology with same prominence given the issuance of the defamatory words.

Furthermore, the KATH CEO asks the court to compel the defendant to immediately delete all the defamatory statements made on his person either directly or indirectly on his Facebook Timeline.

The CEO asks the court to grant him general damages of 3million cedis.

Additionally, the CEO is asking the High Court to grant him exemplary damages of 2 million cedis for malicious conduct of the defendant in defaming him.

The KATH CEO also asks for other costs to be awarded against the defendant including legal costs and others the court may deem fit.

Accomplishments:

Prof Addai-Mensah in the writ says has been working as lecturer at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) for 16 years until his appointment as CEO of KATH  about 18 months ago.

He noted that by sheer determination in life he was awarded as an Associate Professor in Haematology at the Faculty of Allied, Health Sciences of KNUST.

The Plaintiff says he was head of Department for five years and later as Dean of Faculty and Vice Dean of students and also Deputy Director Students Affairs at KNUST.

Prof Addai-Mensah was Vice President of the University Teachers Association of Ghana and President of the KNUST.

The KATH CEO is also a member of the governing council of the Nurses ans Midwives Council of Ghana.

Story By Michael Ofosu-Afriyie,  Kumasi.