Ghana Presidential Staffer Challenges Big Push Probe Report

• Gilbert Attipoe, a presidential advisor, has challenged The Fourth Estate's report on sole-sourced contracts under the Big Push infrastructure programme.
• Mr. Attipoe cited official records from state regulatory institutions to contradict key claims in The Fourth Estate's publication.
• The controversy raises questions about the accuracy and thoroughness of The Fourth Estate's report and potential defamation claims against the media organisation.

He argued that this raises questions about the basis on which the media organisation reached its conclusions.

Gilbert Attipoe, a presidential advisor at the Jubilee House, has challenged the accuracy of a report by The Fourth Estate on the Presidential Committee's investigation into sole-sourced contracts under the government's Big Push infrastructure programme. In a social media post on August 11, Mr. Attipoe argued that official records from state regulatory institutions contradict key claims contained in The Fourth Estate's publication.

He specifically pointed to records from the Office of the Registrar of Companies and the Ministry of Roads and Highways, which he claimed demonstrate that companies referenced in the committee's report had the requisite statutory capacity to undertake major projects. Mr. Attipoe also disputed claims concerning the workforce capacity of contractors, citing SSNIT records that show both Build Managers Ltd and Sanam Ghana Ltd had active employee rolls and valid SSNIT Clearance Certificates.

Mr. Attipoe's challenge raises questions about the accuracy and thoroughness of The Fourth Estate's report, which was based on a 72-page report produced by the committee chaired by Dr. Valerie Sawyerr.

The controversy surrounding Mr. Attipoe's challenge highlights the potential for defamation claims against The Fourth Estate and its journalists. As lawyers will note, the accuracy of a publication is crucial in determining whether it has committed defamation. In this case, Mr. Attipoe's allegations suggest that The Fourth Estate may have failed to conduct adequate verification of regulatory records before publishing its report.

The Office of the Registrar of Companies and other state institutions play a critical role in regulating companies and ensuring compliance with statutory obligations. Records from these institutions are often used as evidence in investigations and reports. Mr. Attipoe's reliance on these records to challenge The Fourth Estate's report underscores their importance in establishing the facts.

The National Pensions Act, 2008 (Act 766) also comes into play, as Mr. Attipoe cited SSNIT Clearance Certificates held by Build Managers Ltd and Sanam Ghana Ltd as evidence of their statutory capacity.

The implications of Mr. Attipoe's challenge extend beyond the specific allegations made against The Fourth Estate. They raise questions about the role of media organisations in holding those in power accountable, and the importance of accuracy and thoroughness in investigative reporting.

As a presidential advisor, Mr. Attipoe's involvement in this controversy highlights the need for transparency and accountability within government institutions. His challenge also underscores the potential consequences of inaccurate or misleading reports, which can damage reputations and undermine public trust.

Ultimately, the outcome of this controversy will have far-reaching implications for media organisations, government institutions, and the public at large.

Lawyers should watch for potential defamation claims against The Fourth Estate and its journalists, as Mr. Attipoe's challenge raises questions about the accuracy and thoroughness of their report.

Source: Original reporting via The Fourth Estate