Parliament Member Wins WhatsApp Slander Lawsuit
The Cape Coast High Court has made a landmark ruling in a defamation case involving the Assin South MP, Rev. John Ntim Fordjour. The court awarded the MP GHS 700,000 in damages, underlining increased legal accountability for political speech on social media platforms such as WhatsApp in Ghana.
The defamatory comments, made by Stephen Cobbah (aka Adepa) and Yaw Korankye (aka Ampong) on the WhatsApp group "Assinman Politics Gh" in March 2024, were found to be defamatory by the court. The exact nature of the false claims made about Rev. Fordjour was not specified in the judgment.
The defendants are now required to issue retractions and written apologies on the same platforms where the defamatory statements were shared. Additionally, the court issued a perpetual injunction barring further defamatory posts by the defendants. The decision regarding the perpetual injunction was not disclosed in the judgment.
This case serves as a notable example of how digital platforms are increasingly subject to legal scrutiny in Ghana's political landscape. Given WhatsApp's widespread use for political communication in Ghana, this ruling likely sets a precedent that online political speech is subject to the same defamation laws as traditional media outlets.
The court's decision to award substantial damages to Ntim Fordjour emphasizes that even political figures must exercise caution in their use of social media platforms, as remarks that unlawfully damage reputations may lead to successful defamation claims. This ruling reinforces the importance of responsible digital communication, particularly in the political arena, and discourages the spread of malicious or false assertions during political discourse.
In summary, the defamation case outcome involving Rev. John Ntim Fordjour highlights that Ghanaian courts are willing to uphold legal standards against defamatory political speech on social media, thus bolstering legal accountability for politicians using platforms like WhatsApp to communicate with the public.
This ruling in Ghana's Assin South MP defamation case on WhatsApp, involving political speech, underscores the increased legal accountability for such speech on digital platforms. The court's decision underlines the applicability of defamation laws to online political discourse, mirroring the rules traditionally governing media outlets. The substantial damages awarded to Rev. John Ntim Fordjour serve as a warning for politicians to exercise caution when using social media, as defamatory comments can lead to successful defamation claims and potential reputation damage.
