Accra: Legal scholar and good governance advocate, Professor Stephen Kwaku Asare, has described as 'surprising' the decision by former COCOBOD Chief Executive Officer, Randy Abbey, to use state legal resources to pursue a personal defamation suit. According to him, the move contradicts Abbey's long-standing advocacy of accountability and good governance.
According to Ghana Web, Professor Asare commented on a High Court ruling that dismissed Abbey's defamation action against Bono Regional NPP Chairman, Kwame Baffoe Abronye. Prof Asare pointed out that the case raises serious questions about consistency between public advocacy and personal conduct. He expressed his surprise at Abbey's actions, given his reputation as an advocate of accountability and good governance.
The High Court, presided over by Justice Halima El-Alawa Abdul, dismissed the suit on the grounds that it was procedurally defective. The court highlighted that defamation is a personal tort, and Abbey, having sued in his personal capacity, could not properly rely on the Legal Department of COCOBOD to prosecute the case when the institution itself was not a party. The court emphasized that a public institution's legal department cannot be used to pursue a private reputational claim, suggesting that Abbey should have retained private legal counsel.
Kwaku Azar noted that the court's decision underscores the need for public figures who champion good governance to practice the same restraint they demand of others, especially when personal interests are involved. He stressed that good governance advocacy is performative, and those who preach restraint in public power must themselves be exemplary.
The defamation suit arose from comments allegedly made by Abronye concerning Abbey's performance as CEO of COCOBOD. Although the case was brought in Abbey's personal capacity, it was initiated through COCOBOD's Legal Department, a decision ultimately rejected by the court. On this basis, Kwaku Azar remarked that the ruling highlights the expectations placed on public office holders who speak loudly about accountability and the proper use of state power.