Well-known Ghanaian investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas has described his $18 million defamation victory over former Ghanaian MP Kennedy Agyapong as a crucial moment for justice and press freedom.
In a press statement and a video shared on his social media pages, Anas emphasized that the ruling by a New Jersey court was a strong message against misinformation and character assassination.
“This is a resounding affirmation that falsehood and character assassination have no place in our society,” he stated, calling the verdict a key milestone in Ghana’s democratic journey.
Anas revealed that the Essex County Superior Court jury reached a unanimous decision, holding Kennedy Agyapong liable for defamation. “Yesterday, an eight-member jury delivered a unanimous verdict finding Kennedy Agyapong liable for defamation and awarding damages of 18 million U.S. dollars,” he announced.
He linked Agyapong’s defamatory statements to the period following the BBC’s Betraying the Game documentary, aired on October 28, 2018.
Beyond the personal win, Anas framed the verdict as a broader victory for journalists and advocates of accountability. “This decision is not merely a legal triumph—it reinforces our commitment to building a robust democracy that serves all ordinary Ghanaians,” he stated.
Highlighting the legal weight of the case, Anas noted that winning a defamation suit in the United States required proving malice with clear and convincing evidence. “Proving defamation in the United States is an exceptionally high hurdle, requiring clear and convincing evidence of malice,” he explained. “That the jury ruled unanimously in my favour underscores that Mr. Agyapong acted both maliciously and recklessly in his attacks against me.”
He contrasted the U.S. verdict with his experience in Ghana, where his 2018 defamation suit against Agyapong was dismissed. Expressing disappointment in the Ghanaian judiciary, Anas stated, “Regrettably, the situation in Ghana was starkly different.” He recalled how Justice Eric Baah ruled against him despite Agyapong’s admission of lacking evidence.
“Despite Mr. Agyapong’s own admission of lacking evidence to support his calumnious claims, Justice Eric Baah of the Accra High Court not only denied me justice but also unjustly portrayed me—the civil plaintiff—as a criminal,” he said.
Anas pointed out that Supreme Court Justice Kulendi later condemned the Ghanaian ruling, describing it as a “violent abuse of judicial authority.” This, he argued, highlighted systemic issues within Ghana’s legal framework. “Such outcomes are a stark reminder of the systemic flaws within our Ghanaian judicial system—flaws that demand urgent reform,” he stressed.
The journalist also lauded the fairness of the U.S. proceedings, where Agyapong and his brother, Ralph Agyapong, took the stand. He recounted how Agyapong relied on evidence from his Who Watches the Watchman video and cited the Ghanaian judgment in his defense.
“Presided over by Judge Jeffrey B. Beacham, the case saw Mr Agyapong take the stand alongside his brother. As he had in Ghana, he introduced audiovisual evidence under the title Who Watches the Watchman and even cited the Ghanaian judgment in his defence,” Anas noted.
Despite these efforts, Anas’ legal team, led by Andrew Deheer, prevailed with an 8-0 verdict on all counts.
He further underscored the verdict’s implications for press freedom in Ghana, warning politicians against attacking journalists. “Today’s outcome sends a powerful message, particularly to Ghanaian politicians: you cannot take the media for granted,” he declared.
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“The press plays an indispensable role in scrutinizing power and holding leaders accountable, and any attempt to undermine this essential function will be met with resolute resistance.”
Anas extended his gratitude to his legal team, supporters, and everyone who stood by him in his legal battle. “I extend my deepest gratitude to my legal team, my supporters, and to everyone who has stood by my side in this relentless pursuit of truth,” he said.
While awaiting the final determination on punitive damages, he reaffirmed his commitment to fighting corruption. “The fight against corruption continues unabated. We will persist in rooting out graft and holding accountable the bad actors in our society,” he vowed.