Acting CEO of Forestry Commission, Dr. Hugh Clement Brown, Sues Abronye DC for Defamation
The Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Forestry Commission, Dr. Hugh Clement A. Brown, has initiated legal action against firebrand political activist and Bono Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Mr. Kwame Baffoe, popularly known as Abronye DC, over alleged defamatory statements made against him in recent media engagements.
Filed at the High Court in Accra, the lawsuit contends that Abronye DC made “false, malicious, and defamatory remarks” which have seriously injured Dr. Brown’s reputation, integrity, and professional standing. The statements in question reportedly accused Dr. Brown of engaging in corrupt activities and mismanagement within the Forestry Commission, including claims of underhand dealings in timber permits and complicity in illegal logging.
According to the statement of claim, Abronye’s comments — made during a radio interview and widely circulated on social media platforms — were “baseless and reckless” and intended to incite public outrage against the Forestry Commission and its leadership.
Dr. Brown, who was appointed Acting CEO in late 2023 following the retirement of Mr. John Allotey, maintains that he has always acted within the bounds of the law and upheld high ethical standards in his stewardship of Ghana’s forest resources.
Through his legal counsel, Dr. Brown is seeking the following reliefs:
- GH₵5 million in general damages for defamation,
- An unqualified apology published in at least three national newspapers and broadcast on major radio and TV stations,
- A perpetual injunction restraining Abronye DC from further making such statements.
Sources close to the Forestry Commission say the lawsuit is aimed at protecting the Commission’s integrity and ensuring that public discourse on national issues is grounded in facts and not “politically motivated attacks.”
Abronye DC, known for his outspoken and controversial style, is yet to issue a formal response to the lawsuit. However, insiders within the NPP suggest that he intends to defend his statements, citing what he calls “incontrovertible evidence of wrongdoing.”
This legal battle comes at a time when the Forestry Commission is under increased scrutiny over forest degradation, illegal mining, and timber exploitation, making the outcome of this case significant for the Commission’s public image and institutional credibility.
The High Court has set a preliminary hearing for August 26, 2025.
Stay with Nsemgh.com as we bring you updates on this developing story.