Hubtel, a payment services provider licensed by the Bank of Ghana, has issued a formal demand for a retraction and apology from Media General and its presenter, Blessed Godsbrain Smart, popularly known as Captain Smart. The demand follows what Hubtel describes as defamatory and false allegations made during a broadcast on the ‘Onua Maakye’ programme aired on November 21, 2024.
Captain Smart had alleged that $25 million was transferred from the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) to Hubtel and subsequently to Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia for political campaign purposes. Hubtel vehemently denies these claims, calling them baseless and damaging to its reputation.
In a letter addressed to Media General and Captain Smart, Hubtel’s legal representatives described the remarks as malicious, asserting that they undermine public confidence in the company’s integrity. The letter read: “The claims aired on your platform are entirely false, tarnishing our reputation and creating unwarranted distrust among our partners and customers.”
Hubtel has demanded an immediate retraction of the statements, accompanied by a formal apology aired with the same prominence as the original broadcast. It also requests that the apology be archived on Media General’s website for future reference. Failure to meet these demands could lead to legal action, as Hubtel reserves the right to seek redress to protect its reputation.
This dispute comes amidst concerns from Ghanaian-owned businesses about perceived unfair targeting by sections of the media. Industry leaders argue that sensational reporting, often devoid of rigorous verification, damages the credibility of local enterprises and fosters public mistrust.
The controversy also highlights the role of balanced journalism in promoting accountability without undermining indigenous businesses. Hubtel’s case has reignited calls for media practitioners to prioritize evidence-based reporting and avoid narratives that unfairly harm local enterprises.
Media General has yet to respond to the allegations and demands issued by Hubtel.