Investigate Journalist and Author, Manasseh Azure Awuni has publicly apologized to businessman Ibrahim Mahama regarding an error in his recently published book, The President Ghana Never Got’.
In the book, Manasseh discussed the banking crisis that unfolded under President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s administration, highlighting how certain banks were salvaged from potential collapse. While providing background on the Universal Merchant Bank (UMB) and the circumstances surrounding its acquisition in 2013, Manasseh referenced a controversy involving a significant debt attributed to Ibrahim Mahama.
The book had mistakenly blamed Mr. Mahama for being responsible for the collapse of Universal Merchant Bank in 2013 after failing to repay $28 million debt owed to the bank. In a strongly-worded statement released by Mahama’s legal team, the businessman expressed his deep displeasure with the book’s portrayal of him.
Acknowledging the oversight on his social media platforms, Manasseh stated: “I retract the said reference to Ibrahim Mahama as the debtor and apologize for any adverse effect that may have been occasioned by said publication.
” The fact is that the $28 million debt I referenced was owed by his company, Engineers and Planners Company Limited, the legal entity, and not Mr. Mahama personally” ” he apologetically stated.
“Consequently, I retract the said referee to Ibrahim Mahama as the debtor and apologize for any adverse effect that may have been occasioned by the said publication.” He further clarified.
Manasseh Azure Awuni’s public apology comes on the heels of a looming legal threat issued by the legal team of Mr. Ibrahim Mahama. Lawyers of the businessman had raised concerns about some inaccuracies authored by the journalist in his book, urging him to either retract those inaccuracies and apologize or face legal action.
Here’s a copy of Manasseh Azure Awuni’s apology and retraction;
Businessman Mr Ibrahim Mahama has, through his lawyers, brought to my attention a fact that needs correction, and I hereby do so unreservedly.
i. In my latest book, “The President Ghana Never Got”, I discussed the banking crisis under the Akufo-Addo administration and how some banks were saved from possible collapse.
ii. In providing a background to the Universal Merchant Bank (UMB) and the circumstances under which its new owners acquired it in 2013, I mentioned the controversy that arose when it emerged that one of the big debtors of the erstwhile Merchant Bank was Mr. Mahama.
iii. The fact is that the $28 million debt I referenced was owed by his company, Engineers and Planners Company Limited, the legal entity, and not Mr. Mahama personally.
iv. Consequently, I retract the said reference to Ibrahim Mahama as the debtor and apologize for any adverse effect that may have been occasioned by said publication.
v. It was a genuine oversight, which I am taking immediate steps to correct in the online version of the book and subsequent reprints.
Manasseh Azure Awuni
