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Newsdesk Report
The Managing Director of Tema Development Company (TDC) Ghana Ltd., Mr. Courage Makafui Nunekpeku, has filed a defamation suit against The New Crusading Guide newspaper, its publishers, and News Ghana, over publications he says falsely implicated him in a land grabbing scandal.
The voiceafricaonline.com sighted a writ, filed on September 10, 2025, at the Accra High Court (Suit No. GJ/1060/2025), names four defendants: Kweku Baako Media Limited (publishers of The New Crusading Guide), the newspaper’s Editor-in-Chief, M’Ideas Group (operators of NewsGhana.com.gh), and Mr. Roger A. Agana, Managing Editor of News Ghana.
According to the statement of claim, the defendants on September 1, 2025, published and widely circulated articles alleging that Mr. Nunekpeku was implicated in a “fresh land grabbing scandal” involving a two-plot parcel at Community 25 in Kpone Katamanso District. The publications claimed that land legitimately sold by TDC to a couple in 2004 was later resold “under dubious circumstances” to another developer, allegedly facilitated by the plaintiff.
The articles, which appeared on the front page of The New Crusading Guide and on its online platform, were also republished on NewsGhana.com.gh with the headline: “TDC Boss Implicated in Fresh Land Grabbing Scandal – Property Owner Drags Him to Police.”
Mr. Nunekpeku contends that the reports portrayed him as corrupt, dishonest, and unfit to hold public office, accusations he says are false, malicious, and published without verification. He insists the publications were calculated to damage his reputation as a public servant, engineer, and project manager with longstanding service in Ghana’s real estate and development sector.
The TDC boss is seeking a perpetual injunction to restrain the defendants from further publishing similar defamatory material, as well as general and aggravated damages. He is also requesting an order compelling the defendants to publish an unqualified apology and retraction with equal prominence in The New Crusading Guide, on its website, and on News Ghana.
The suit, filed by his lawyer, Samora Cann of Machel Stanley Corporate & Commercial Lawyers, also demands the payment of legal costs and any other reliefs the court may deem fit.
The defendants have eight days from the date of service of the writ to enter an appearance. Failure to do so may result in judgment being entered against them in default.
This case adds to ongoing debates about media responsibility and press freedom in Ghana, particularly concerning the verification of stories that touch on the reputations of public officials.
