Lawyers representing businessman Ibrahim Mahama, brother of NDC flagbearer John Dramani Mahama, have raised concerns about certain details in investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni’s recently released book, The President Ghana Never Got.
The issues relate to a passage in the book that mentions Ibrahim Mahama’s alleged indebtedness to the defunct Merchant Bank before its sale in 2013, during his brother’s tenure as President.
In the book, Manasseh Azure stated that Ibrahim Mahama owed the now-defunct bank, a claim that his lawyers have since contested. According to them, it was not Mr. Mahama as an individual, but his company, Engineers & Planners, that was indebted to the bank.
Responding to the matter via a Facebook post, Manasseh Azure clarified the situation and dismissed allegations that the businessman had requested him to remove pages 89 and 90 of the book due to inaccuracies. The journalist acknowledged that while the legal team of Mr. Ibrahim Mahama contacted him regarding the statement, the communication did not include a demand for the deletion of any portion of the book.
Manasseh further noted that the concerns raised by Mr. Mahama’s lawyers are being reviewed by his own legal counsel to determine the appropriate course of action. While he stands by the general content of the book, the journalist has indicated that he will be guided by legal advice moving forward.
The President Ghana Never Got is Manasseh Azure’s latest work, exploring key political events and personalities in Ghana’s recent history under the Akufo-Addo regime . The book has garnered attention for its critical examination of issues, including the intricate relationship between politics and business in the country.