Ghanaian MP Sues Colleague for Defamation Over Social Media Post

Strategic Insights -

Ghanaian politician Rockson Nelson Dafeamekpor, a Member of Parliament for South Dayi and Majority Chief Whip, has filed a defamation lawsuit against his colleague, Rev. John Ntim Fordjour, MP for Assin South. The lawsuit stems from a social media post made by Rev. Fordjour on May 8, 2025, which alleged that Mr. Dafeamekpor received a bribe of GHS360,000 in connection with the passage of a Legislative Instrument (L.I.). Mr. Dafeamekpor denies the accusations and claims that the post caused him significant harm, including economic loss, disruption to his professional activities, and emotional distress.

Key Takeaways:

  • Rockson Nelson Dafeamekpor, MP for South Dayi and Majority Chief Whip, has sued Rev. John Ntim Fordjour, MP for Assin South, for defamation over a social media post alleging a bribe of GHS360,000.
  • The post was made on May 8, 2025, via the platform X (formerly Twitter), and claims that Mr. Dafeamekpor acted as Vice Chairman of the Committee on Subsidiary Legislation in a period when the bribe was allegedly paid.
  • Kwabena Adu-Boahene, former National Signals Bureau boss, clarified that MPs on the Defence and Interior Committee and the Subsidiary Legislation Committee received allowances of GHS960,000 and GHS309,000, respectively, during the passage of the NSB Act and its accompanying Legislative Instrument.
  • Mr. Dafeamekpor denies the accusations and claims that the post caused him economic harm, loss of business, disruption to his professional activities, and emotional distress.
  • He is requesting a public apology and retraction from Rev. Fordjour, as well as perpetual injunction restraining the defendant from making or disclosing any more statements about him, and an order for the defendant to retract the defamatory statement.
  • Mr. Dafeamekpor is also seeking GHC 30 million in damages.

Statistics:

  • GHS360,000: the amount allegedly bribed to the Committee on Subsidiary Legislation (Source: May 8, 2025 post by Rev. John Ntim Fordjour)
  • GHS960,000: the allowance paid to MPs on the Defence and Interior Committee during the passage of the NSB Act and its accompanying Legislative Instrument (Source: Kwabena Adu-Boahene)
  • GHS309,000: the allowance paid to MPs on the Subsidiary Legislation Committee during the passage of the NSB Act and its accompanying Legislative Instrument (Source: Kwabena Adu-Boahene)
  • GHC 30 million: the amount Mr. Dafeamekpor is seeking in damages (Source: May 13, 2025 article by Ghana Web)

Sources:

  • Ghana Web, "Just In: Majority Chief Whip Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor sues NPP MP for Assin Central Rev. Ntim Fordjour for defamation over social media post, demands GHC 30 million in damages" (May 13, 2025)