Johnnie Hughes makes a u-turn as Ablakwa threatens to sue him over scholarship list

Johnnie Beresford Hughes, a TV journalist with Media General, has apologised to several people whose identities were found on a document he circulated on social media, claiming they were recipients of the GNPC Foundation Foreign Scholarship Scheme.

In the midst of the controversy surrounding the Ghana Scholarship Secretariat’s awarding of scholarships to individuals affiliated with the government and the New Patriotic Party, Johnnie Hughes shared a photo on Saturday, April 13, 2024, that included the names of some key members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) as beneficiaries of a GNPC Foundation Foreign Scholarship Scheme.

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The names include Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, John Jinapor, Joyce Bawah Mogtari, and Felix Kwakye Ofosu.

The journalist’s social media post prompted denials from the identified individuals, including Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, who hinted at legal action.

As a result, Johnnie Hughes has apologised to the people included on the list, explaining that he did not accuse anyone of wrongdoing by distributing the paper.

“Friends, let me first of all state that my post with the caption “Odaseni” is without malice or ill intention.

“Perhaps, I should have added a few more words to the caption, “Odaseni”, or maybe posed the question I had in my mind when I decided to make a post on what is now clear to a section of the public, as a calculated form of equalisation for The 4th Estate’s ‘SCHOLARSHIP BONANZA’.

“Since I was hesitant in doing same, and also for the fact that my post has been given many different interpretations and connotations for various reasons (including political), I owe it a duty to sincerely apologise to all persons who feel slighted by my post.

“Within the hour, I have given the same weight of prominence to the rejoinders of Hons. Ablakwa, Jinapor and Mogtari on the same post and have accordingly shared their respective posts while awaiting GNPC’s official response.

“Unfortunately, I am unable to share my source as a Journalist and I take full responsibility for what I posted. Thank you,” he posted on social media.