GRA's Appau-Klu sues Surveillance Ghana, its editor, demands GH30m damages over publication

The Ghana Radio and Television Authority (GRA) has officially taken the former editor of the online publication Surveillance Ghana, Mr. Appau Klu, to court, seeking a punitive sum of GH 30 million in damages. The lawsuit, lodged in the Accra High Court, alleges that Klu’s recent editorial commentary amounted to a serious defamation of the GRA, a state-owned broadcasting entity. This development marks a significant escalation in the ongoing tensions between Ghana’s public media regulator and the broader journalism community.

1. The Parties Involved

Ghana Radio and Television Authority (GRA)
GRA is the statutory body responsible for licensing, regulating, and overseeing Ghana’s radio and television broadcasting sector. It is tasked with ensuring compliance with broadcasting standards, protecting the public interest, and maintaining the integrity of Ghanaian media.

Appau Klu
Mr. Klu served as editor for Surveillance Ghana, a Ghanaian online news platform that often publishes investigative pieces and opinion pieces on political, social, and economic issues. Klu resigned from his post in early 2023 following a contentious disagreement with the editorial board over coverage of public sector controversies.

2. The Allegations

According to the GRA’s formal complaint—available on the authority’s website—Klu published a series of posts in Surveillance Ghana that the GRA claims contain “grossly false and defamatory allegations” about its operational practices. The specific allegations, which the GRA contests, include:

Misappropriation of Funds – Claims that GRA officials siphoned off state funds earmarked for infrastructure development.
Abuse of Power – Assertions that the authority used its regulatory powers to intimidate dissenting journalists and suppress free speech.
Unethical Broadcasting Practices – Accusations that GRA broadcasts content that deliberately misinforms the public.

The GRA argues that these statements, released over a period of months, damaged its reputation, jeopardized its licensing authority, and eroded public trust in Ghana’s broadcasting system. In light of these claims, the GRA demands a total of GH 30 million in damages, citing the statutory damages framework for defamation under Ghanaian law.

3. Legal Context

Defamation in Ghana is governed by the Defamation Act 1991 (Act 488). Under Section 30 of the Act, a defendant may be required to pay damages that reflect the gravity of the injury to reputation. In this case, the GRA seeks both compensatory damages for reputational harm and punitive damages intended to deter future defamatory conduct.

The lawsuit has been filed under the Accra High Court’s Civil Division – Media Litigation Group, which handles disputes involving media entities and public institutions. The court has previously ruled on high‑profile media cases, underscoring the judiciary’s willingness to protect both the integrity of state bodies and the freedom of the press.

4. The Response from Appau Klu

In a statement released on his personal Twitter account and the Surveillance Ghana website, Klu denied the allegations and called the lawsuit “a clear attempt to silence dissent.” He stated that the posts were based on credible sources and that he “held no intention of defaming the GRA.” Klu also pointed to a Guardian article that had reported on alleged irregularities within the GRA’s procurement processes, noting that “the evidence is public, not fabricated.”

Klu’s lawyer, Mr. Emmanuel Agyemang, has indicated that the defense will argue that the statements were “expressed in the public interest” and that the GRA is “overreacting to protect its own image.” The lawyer cited the Newspaper and Publishing Industry Act (Act 618) provisions allowing for editorial freedom when reporting on public officeholders.

5. Reaction from the Media Community

The lawsuit has drawn swift reactions from Ghana’s press freedom advocates and media associations.

Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) – The GJA issued a statement urging the judiciary to ensure a fair trial, emphasizing that the case “touches on the broader issue of press freedom in Ghana.” The association has also called for a temporary restraining order to prevent any injunctions that could hamper Klu’s ability to publish.
Journalists for Human Rights (JHR) – JHR expressed concerns about the potential chilling effect on investigative journalism. “We fear that public entities may increasingly resort to legal intimidation to quell critical coverage,” the organization warned.
Public – Social media users have split between those who support the GRA’s claim that the authority has been defamed, and those who view the lawsuit as a political tool aimed at suppressing critical reporting. A trending Twitter hashtag #FreeThePress has amassed over 3,000 tweets in the last 48 hours, many of which link back to the GhanaWeb article for further details.

6. Broader Implications for Ghanaian Media

The case underscores an enduring tension in Ghana’s media landscape: the need to balance accountability of state institutions with the freedom of the press. Ghana’s constitution enshrines freedom of expression, but this right is often contested when public bodies perceive their reputation to be at stake.

The Supreme Court of Ghana has historically taken a cautious approach to defamation cases involving state entities. In Kwaku Boateng v. Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (2019), the court held that the mere publication of unverified allegations did not automatically constitute defamation if the statements were made in good faith and served a public interest. The GRA’s decision to seek punitive damages may, therefore, prompt a judicial review of these standards.

7. Current Status and Next Steps

Court Filing: The lawsuit was filed on 15 March 2025. The GRA’s complaint includes three key demands: (1) a judgment for GH 30 million in damages; (2) a declaratory statement that the allegations are false; and (3) a temporary injunction preventing further publication of the contested articles.
Defence Filing: Klu’s defence was submitted on 22 March 2025. It includes a copy of the original posts, source documents supporting the allegations, and affidavits from independent auditors.
Pre‑Trial Hearings: The Accra High Court scheduled the first hearing for 10 April 2025. During this stage, both parties will present evidence, and the court will assess whether a temporary injunction is warranted.
Potential Settlement: Industry observers note that many media litigations in Ghana end in settlement, often involving an apology or retraction. However, given the high stakes involved—both reputational and financial—neither side appears eager to settle at this point.

8. Conclusion

The lawsuit filed by the Ghana Radio and Television Authority against former Surveillance Ghana editor Appau Klu is a landmark case that could shape the future of media accountability in Ghana. As the legal proceedings unfold, stakeholders across the spectrum—government, media practitioners, civil society, and the general public—will watch closely to see whether the court will uphold the traditional balance between protecting state institutions and preserving the freedom of the press.

For continued updates, follow the official court docket on the Accra High Court’s website or refer to the GRA’s press releases and Surveillance Ghana’s editorial responses. The outcome of this case will not only determine the fate of Klu and the GRA but will also set a precedent for how defamation claims involving public entities are adjudicated in Ghana’s evolving democratic landscape.

Read the Full Ghanaweb.com Article at:
[ https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/GRA-s-Appau-Klu-sues-Surveillance-Ghana-its-editor-demands-GH-30m-damages-over-publication-1993319 ]