Tongraan Kugbilson-Nalebegtang, paramount chief of Talensi traditional area has expressed disdain at a media report that said he paid an amount of 5 billion (old cedis), a tractor and two houses to win the chieftaincy title and described the media report as frivolous, malicious and a calculated attempt to dent his image.
Few days after his enskinment, some news portals reported that a colossal amount of money was paid by the former Member of Parliament plus other commitments for the chieftaincy title. This report has been refuted by the paramount chief who said he was shocked at how such a false report could me made especially by a journalist who hails from the Talensi area.
According to him, it is preposterous to think that such huge payments could be made to earn a chieftaincy title especially in northern Ghana and wondered if it can happen anywhere in the country or the world. He said the report was a total insult to him and the Nayiri who enskinned him as the paramount chief explaining that though traditionally a commitment ought to be made and was actually made, but it is only the Nayiri who knows what and how much was paid.
“Even the Nayiri’s wife will not know and does not know how much is paid. It is between me and the Nayiri” he remarked.
In a reaction to the report, he has filed a writ in court against the reporter and the media house for the publication and pressing charges for false report and defamation.
“I wonder where in the world this amount of money will be paid by an individual for a chieftaincy title. In fact let me tell you that I have filed a writ in court against both the reporter and the media house. That report has hurt me so much because it is an insult to me, the paramountcy and also the Nayiri. What is even surprising is that the young man who made this report comes from here and if this is the kind of journalism that he wants to practice then it won’t take him anywhere” he added.
He used the opportunity to caution journalists to be circumspect in their reportage and make sure they check their facts before reporting.
By: Azongo Albert | A1radioonline.com | Ghana
