Hubtel calls for apology from Media General

… demands end to media ‘witch-hunt’

Hubtel, a leading payment services provider licensed by the Bank of Ghana, has demanded a retraction and apology from Media General following remarks by Blessed Godsbrain Smart (Captain Smart), a presenter on the broadcaster’s Onua TV platform, which the company describes as false, defamatory, and damaging to its reputation.

The demand, contained in a formal letter, signals escalating tensions between indigenous businesses and segments of the media.

In the letter addressed to Media General and Blessed Godsbrain Smart, Hubtel denied allegations of financial impropriety, rejecting claims of fund misappropriation linked to Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s political campaign.

In the letter, Hubtel categorically stated that statements made by Captain Smart on the ‘Onua Maakye’ programme aired on Onua TV, a subsidiary of Media General, “were completely false and have caused significant reputational harm” to the company.

The letter continued, “We take strong exception to the malicious and baseless claims aired on your platform, as they undermine the integrity of our operations and the confidence of our partners and customers.”

The dispute centers on accusations made by media personality Captain Smart during a broadcast on Onua TV on November 21, 2024, in which he allegedly claimed that US$25 million was transferred from the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) to Hubtel’s account, and further transferred to the Vice President, following the resignation of ECG’s Managing Director, Samuel Dubik Mahama.

The timing of the allegations is notable, occurring in the context of the 2024 General Elections, with the accusations directly involving the Vice President.

In a detailed legal response, Hubtel’s solicitors  stated the statements, if taken at face value, would lead a “reasonable, fair-minded, and prudent person” to conclude that Hubtel is engaged in embezzlement of public funds, criminal activities involving fund misappropriation,

aiding public officials in diverting funds, assisting in channeling funds for political campaigning.

Hubtel, through its legal team, has demanded that Capt Smart and Media General retract the comments and issue a written apology to be aired on the ‘Onua Maakye’ programme with the same prominence as the original statements.

Furthermore, it wants the archiving of the apology on Media General’s website for future reference. The company further warned of legal action should Capt Smart and Media General fail to comply. “We reserve the right to explore all legal avenues to protect our reputation and business interests,” the letter stated.

Indigenous businesses raise concerns over unfair targeting

The incident highlights growing concerns among Ghanaian-owned businesses over what they perceive as unfair scrutiny from sections of civil society organizations (CSOs) and the media. Industry players argue that such practices often undermine confidence in indigenous enterprises, creating an uneven playing field against foreign counterparts.

A senior executive at a local business association, speaking on condition of anonymity, noted, This issue raises concerns about the media’s role in fostering trust and accountability.

Sensational narratives, often prioritized over evidence-based reporting, risk misinforming the public and unfairly damaging the reputations of individuals and businesses.  Credible journalism relies on rigorous verification practices and balanced storytelling. Without these, the media’s role as a reliable source of information is compromised, prompting broader skepticism about its integrity.”

This sentiment echoes broader grievances voiced by the private sector. Some argue that media and advocacy organizations often adopt sensational narratives that damage local enterprises’ credibility without sufficient evidence despite evidence being readily available for verification from sources such as the Office of the Registrar of Companies and Sector Regulators. These accusations have sparked calls for balanced reporting and an emphasis on due diligence before publication.

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