The High Court by a ruling dated Tuesday, the 21st day of April, 2026 reported as KEN OFORI-ATTAH v. BLESSED GODSBRAIN SMART & ANOR [TLP-HC-2026-11] on The Law Platform library has struck out for want of prosecution the writ filed by the former finance minister of Ghana, Mr. Ken Ofori Atta against the famous broadcaster, Mr. Blessed Godsbrain Smart.

The High Court was presided by the Court of Appeal Justice performing additional duties of a High Court Judge, H/L Justice Francis Obiri JA. In the ruling of the Court the plea for an adjournment of proceedings in the absence of Mr. Ofori Atta by the learned Bright Okyere-Adjekum, Counsel for the Plaintiff-former Finance Minister was denied.

The Defamatory statement

Per the writ of Mr. Ken Ofori Atta now struck out for a lull in prosecution, he claims the following words of Mr. Smart: "Are you aware that Ken Ofori Atta has taken his 10% of the IMF money?", "Every loan we take he takes 10%", authored on his television program run by the second Defendant, Media General, are "palpably false, absolutely fabricated...also deliberately calculated to disparage" him.

STAR OF THE MONTH - Yvonne Atakora Obuobisa Esq.

Celebrating 150 years of the Supreme Court of the Republic of Ghana

According to Justice Obiri in his commentary on the conduct of the Plaintiff who is now US based and battling extradition and deportation, "Per the records before the Court, the case is a part-heard. It has been adjourned about eighteen times. However, the Plaintiff has appeared in court only three times. The last time the Plaintiff appeared in court was 20th May 2024.

In reaching his order for the striking of the matter without cost to the Defendants, Justice Obiri delivered himself in reliance on natural justice principles and Order 36 Rule 1 (2) (b) of C.I 47 in the following words, "Under Order 36 Rule 1 (2) (b) of C.I 47, where an action is called for hearing or continuation and the Plaintiff fails to attend Court, the Court can dismiss the action or strike it out for want of prosecution."

Read/download full ruling below: