Manasseh Awuni Apologises to Ibrahim Mahama

Freelance journalist Manasseh Awuni Azure has rendered an unqualified apology to businessman Ibrahim Mahama over some misrepresentations he made in his new book in relation to debt to Universal Merchant Bank (UMB) by the latter’s company, Engineers and Planners Company Limited.

The journalist in his book titled, “The President Ghana Never Got”, accused Mr Mahama of being one of the biggest debtors of the UMB.

According to a part of the book, “the UMB formerly Merchant Bank, generated uproar in 2013 when it was sold to a private equity firm, Fortiz. At the time, FirstRand Bank of South Africa was said to be willing to pay Gh ₵176million for 75% of the Merchant Bank’s shares, while Fortiz offered only Gh ₵90million for the 90% of the shares in the state-owned bank. The controversy deepened when it emerged that a brother of President Mahama, Ibrahim Mahama, was one of the big debtors of the then Merchant Bank, which resulted in the bank’s struggles.”

Mr Mahama through his lawyers wrote to Manasseh to demand retraction and apology as he denied the allegation and clarified that his company rather sought the loan which was fully repaid in 2014.

“It is therefore not true that either Mr. Ibrahim Mahama or Engineers and Planners Company Ltd was indebted to Merchant Bank and which debt resulted in the struggles of the bank. Your publication has resulted in our Client’s business associates, family and friends inquiring from him about the veracity of your claims as the publication has lowered his reputation as an honest businessman in the eyes of well-meaning Ghanaians,” a part of the letter issued last week said.

Apology
Manasseh issued a statement on Monday, August 26 in compliance with a demand for apology by the junior brother of former President John Dramani Mahama.

“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.

“Consequently, I retract the said reference to Ibrahim Mahama as the debtor and apologise for any adverse effect that may have been occasioned by said publication.”

He is prepared to render the needed changes to that aspect of the book.

“It was a genuine oversight, which I am taking immediate steps to correct in the online version of the book and in subsequent reprints.”