Source: Africa Publicity
Ghanaian digital media network, Ghanaweb, has retracted a defamatory story linking the CEO of Jospong Group of Companies, Dr. Joseph Siaw Agyepong, to alleged procurement irregularities at the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD).
Ghanaweb has also publicly apologized to Dr. Agyepong over the defamatory publication.
Dr. Agyepong had demanded an immediate retraction and apology from GhanaWeb over what his lawyers described as a defamatory publication linking him to alleged procurement irregularities at COCOBOD.
In a formal letter to Ghanaweb dated March 4, 2026, lawyers for Dr. Agyepong said the online news outlet published a story captioned “Ex-COCOBOD chiefs finally face criminal investigations – Report,” which they claim falsely implicated their client in alleged financial infractions.
The legal representatives, writing on behalf of the business executive, stated that neither Dr. Agyepong nor any of his affiliated companies were beneficiaries of contracts under the previous COCOBOD administration and that he is not under any criminal investigation.
According to the lawyers, the article referenced a report by the Herald and alleged that some procurement deals were awarded to Dr. Agyepong, founder of the Jospong Group and owner of Accra-based Metro TV, suggesting a link between him and contracts under the former COCOBOD administration led by Joseph Boahen Aidoo.
The publication also carried Dr. Agyepong’s image alongside others, which his lawyers argue created the impression that he was implicated in criminal wrongdoing resulting in financial loss to the state.
“Our client states that neither he nor his affiliate companies were beneficiaries of contracts under the erstwhile COCOBOD administration and are not under any criminal investigation,” the letter stated.
The lawyers further argued that the story framed allegations of audit infractions and possible prosecution in a manner that portrayed their client as complicit in financial irregularities, thereby damaging his reputation.
Dr. Agyepong’s legal team described the publication as “misconceived, mischievous and defamatory,” alleging it was a calculated attempt to portray him as corrupt and involved in the misappropriation of state resources.
They also rejected suggestions in the report that the businessman had compromised his position in ways that could worsen the plight of cocoa farmers.
The letter highlighted Dr. Agyepong’s business record, noting that through more than 40 subsidiary companies under the Jospong Group, he has created employment for over 200,000 people across Ghana and supported deprived communities through various relief initiatives.
Citing constitutional protections for personal reputation, the lawyers said the publication had “besmirched his reputation both at home and abroad” and brought his character into public contempt.
To avoid legal action, the legal team had demanded that GhanaWeb:
▪︎Immediately remove and withdraw the article from its website, social media pages and digital archives.
▪︎Publish a full and unqualified retraction and apology within three days of receiving the notice, in a position as prominent as the original publication, stating that the earlier claims were false and defamatory.
The lawyers had warned that failure to comply would lead to legal proceedings in a court of competent jurisdiction to vindicate their client’s reputation.
Dr. Agyepong is widely known as the founder of the Jospong Group, a conglomerate with interests in waste management, media and other sectors in Ghana.
