K.T. Hammond sues Captain Smart for defamation over alleged tribal comments

Former Adansi Asokwa Member of Parliament, K.T. Hammond, has initiated legal proceedings against renowned broadcaster Blessed Godsbrain Smart, popularly known as Captain Smart, over alleged defamatory remarks made during a broadcast on Onua TV.

The lawsuit follows statements attributed to Captain Smart and his co-host, suggesting that K.T. Hammond had made tribal comments questioning how an individual of Ewe descent could win the Adansi Asokwa parliamentary seat in the Ashanti Region.

This controversy erupted after the announcement of the December 7, 2024, Presidential and Parliamentary election results, in which Hammond, representing the New Patriotic Party (NPP), lost his seat to Godwin Animli Dorgbadzi Dorani of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

During the December 9, 2024, airing of Onua TV’s program "Ghana Decides 2024 – Election Command Center – Abatoɔ Asodɛɛ", Captain Smart and his co-host reportedly claimed that Hammond had made the following statement:

"He said, he said: ah! How can an Ewe person unseat me? Eh, eh? He said: why would an Ewe person be the one to take the seat from me in an Ashanti township?"

K.T. Hammond contends that these remarks, both in their literal and implied meanings, depict him as a tribalist who is unwilling to accept the electoral victory of a Ghanaian of Ewe descent in the Ashanti Region.

The former MP argues that the broadcast and subsequent widespread republication of the alleged statements have severely damaged his reputation, subjected him to public ridicule, and caused him emotional distress.

As a result, he is seeking several legal remedies, including:

Compensation in the form of special, aggravated, and exemplary damages for defamation, given the widespread circulation of the remarks in both local and international media.

A court order preventing Captain Smart and his associates from making further defamatory statements against him.

A directive requiring the defendants to issue a public apology and retract the statements with the same level of prominence on all their media platforms, including television, radio, Facebook, YouTube, and X (formerly Twitter).

An order mandating the removal of the defamatory content from the internet, including any re-publications on third-party platforms.

Coverage of all legal costs incurred in pursuing the lawsuit.

Any additional reliefs the court deems appropriate in the circumstances.

The case now awaits a legal determination as K.T. Hammond seeks to clear his name and hold the broadcaster accountable for the alleged defamatory remarks.