PROF. MENSA-BONSU (MRS.) JSC
This is a case that arose because a newspaper published an article which was intended to arouse sympathy for the leadership of the Senior Staff Association, wrongly described as a “trade union” of the Bank of Ghana. The article, apparently based on information from “reliable sources”, ended up making some inaccurate statements that have landed the newspaper in difficulty and formed the basis of this action in defamation.
Background
The plaintiff/respondent/appellant (hereinafter referred to as ‘plaintiff’ to avoid confusion, as the parties reversed roles in the Court of Appeal and in the instant appeal) commenced action on 4th March 2011 against the 1st and 2nd defendants jointly and severally for a publication in the 30th June, 2008, issue of 2nd defendant’s newspaper, ‘Daily Graphic’. The High Court found the 1st defendant – Bank of Ghana - not liable for the publication, and so the Bank did not join in the appeal against the decision of the High Co…