Forestry C'ssion boss sues Dakyehene and Impact Media, claims GH¢20 million

The acting Chief Executive Officer of the Forestry Commission, Dr. Hugh C.A. Brown, has filed a defamation suit against Impact Media Limited—operators of New 88.3 FM—and one of its presenters, Nana Yaw Asante, also known as Dakyehene. 

The suit, lodged at the High Court in Accra on July 25, 2025, seeks a total of GH¢20 million in damages, a public apology, and an injunction to prevent further publication of what Dr. Brown describes as defamatory falsehoods.

The legal action follows a broadcast aired on the station’s morning show on July 16, during which the second defendant, Dakyehene, allegedly accused Dr. Brown of authorizing illegal mining in protected forest reserves. 

According to the writ, the presenter claimed Dr. Brown had issued permits to four companies, backdated official letters to cover his tracks, and attempted to place blame on the previous administration.

In his statement of claim, Dr. Brown denied all allegations, describing them as unfounded and damaging to his reputation. He argued that the broadcast was not only false but also deliberately crafted to portray him as “a dishonest person with the mind of a thief,” intent on sabotaging the national fight against illegal mining, also known as galamsey.

The statement further explained that the documents cited on air were not permits for mining activities but rather internal memos addressed to the Executive Director of the Forest Services Division. 

Dr. Brown said the reference to the year 2024 in those documents was simply a typographical error—an issue the Forestry Commission addressed in an official rejoinder published on July 14, 2025.

Despite receiving the rejoinder, the defendants allegedly failed to retract the broadcast or publish any clarification. Dr. Brown contends that this amounted to “actual malice and reckless disregard for the truth,” arguing that the goal was to attract public attention and boost ratings at his expense. He insisted that a basic fact-check with the Commission could have prevented the spread of misinformation.

Reliefs Sought

Dr. Brown is asking the court to award:

GH¢15 million in general damages for libel,

GH¢5 million in exemplary damages,

A perpetual injunction restraining the defendants from repeating or republishing the defamatory statements.

He is also demanding public retractions and apologies to be broadcast on major media platforms including GTV, Joy News, GHOne TV, Peace FM, and Adom FM, as well as on New 88.3 FM’s website and social media pages.

Additionally, he wants the apologies printed on both the front and back pages of the Daily Graphic for four consecutive weeks.