Sylvo Ben-Afa Apologizes over Misleading Publications on Akame

I wrote articles that were published on the 23rd of January, 2024. And in the opening paragraph, I stated clearly that: 1. ‘This particular exposè and others to follow are in the best interest of the state and also in the interest of National Security.’ 2. The intended outcome of this publication – ‘which is to inform Ghanaians and also stage the grounds for necessary actions to be taken.’ That shows that is was intended to be in good faith.

In the second paragraph, I stated clearly that, ‘Anyone you ask of Akame will tell you of one thing – lawlessness. That image has stuck with the town from generation to generation.‘ That shows the article is reflecting on the perception of people when it comes to Akame: That perception – though not entirely true – equally affects me since I have the name of the town on all documents and have come to be known to come from the town.

Paragraph 3 clearly stated that, “Several reports have been made and some actions taken by the police; but the very people ‘in charge‘ of the town have a perfect relationship with law enforcement.” That is a basic English which clearly shows that the police make arrests in Akame but people still think it is just a town left to be.

Paragraph 4 states clearly that, ‘In every lawless community, the source can be traced to one person or a group of people.’ That clearly states that people’s view of Akame as being a town full of lawless people is very untrue. Everybody in a community cannot be lawless: There will at least be some people who obey the laws. And every lawlessness can be traced to one person or group. That paragraph is sending a strong message to those who view the whole of Akame as a lawless town to rethink their perception.

Paragraph 5 ended in, ‘The town has simply become a breeding ground for lawlessness and criminality.’ That statement shows a source of the bad image we have: that needs to be addressed. That statement and the one before it does not insult the Assemblyman nor the people of Akame. It rather shows that because of the leniency of the Assemblyman when it comes to dispute resolution, some people are taking advantage of that and continue to be lawless – which goes a long way only to affect the image of everyone in the town. And most people even testify to the fact that the Assemblyman of Akame is very calm and lenient compared to how strict and dictative others are.

Paragraph 9 stated that, ‘Human rights abuses and discrimination is very common in the town.’ To me, that statement is the best piece of the whole article because that is what we all have to be careful to address. Let me use myself first in this situation. I am into Medical Research among other things:and therefore spend a lot of time alone with my researches that anyone close to me boldly speaks of me spending the whole night online researching medical breakthroughs and how to perfect my own breakthroughs. Being true to oneself, I have been marketed through propaganda as a jobless graduate whose fictional wife was taken from him. The Assemblyman could testify to the fact that I have made such complaints to him. Coming to most recent times, I understand that anyone who try to speak well of me in the town’s WhatsApp group was targeted and subsequently removed. The motive there was that everyone should show hatred towards me and be part of plans against my person and life. That is coercion – a very criminal offense. Those people also have had their rights to freedom of speech and expression clearly abused with the support of the members of that platform. Ghana is a land of freedom and rights. Ghana is a Democratic Republic.

Paragraph 10 threw light on the criminal offense of not giving reliable information on crimes committed or about to be committed to the police. That was included because it was a popular belief that we the people in Akame keep tight-lips when crimes are committed and consider reports as ‘chooking.’ That is very untrue. I have made several reports to the police myself, though not a single action was taken. I have provided several informations if the persons involved have been advised to stop their ways but arrogantly continue. This statement has nothing to do with Akame: In my many years of investigation, ‘I have seen vigilante groups being armed-robbers who pursued criminals not loyal to them.‘ Every good student of English will see that right away. Akame does not have any recognized vigilante group – that is one approved by the police upon investigations on its members. And even the statement contained VIGILANTE GROUPS, not VIGILANTE GROUP. Does Akame have 2 or more vigilante groups?

Paragraph 11 is what actually I was so shocked that the readers were not awaken to. That paragraph gave a suggestion. Any article that ends with a suggestion is one in complete good faith – meant to cause positive changes for the good of the people of the community and country. That paragraph meant that since some actions were taken, the only thing left to do is for the police to show no more leniency but to invite everyone with a report on him/her over and at least take a statement.

Paragraph 12 posed questions to those with the perception that nothing concrete was being done about Akame. Their answers are for they themselves to work on in the most peaceful way to help cleanse the bad image we all have endured all these while.

The last two sentences read, ‘ Whatever has to be done in the interest of the state has to be done irrespective of the consequences. Long live the republic.’ Those statements clearly show that the articles were not made for personal gains, to tarnish anyone’s image, to debase Akame BUT to the benefit of the republic and its people. Let us not forget all the effort made leading to the publications. Nobody just stood up one day and decided to tarnish any image. No! There was nothing in any publication that, “THE PEOPLE OF AKAME HAVE ‘TOY-BRAINS.’ Akame has produced Assistant Director of Education, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Nurses, Teachers, Chief Inspector of Police, Warrant Officer Class 1, Soldiers and many more. So where from such false accusation at my person and the publications?

The entire publications were made in the most basic English for easy understanding:and the turn of events are very surprising. Some elements took advantage of the publications – though in good faith – to turn Akame into chaos but we thank God that did not happen.

The report made at the police station was that “I made a false publication that, 1. ‘Akame is a breeding ground for lawlessness and criminality.’ 2. ‘Akame people abuse human rights.’ 3. ‘Akame people are conniving and conspiring with thieves.’ 4. ‘Akame people are violent.’ 5. ‘Akame people are armed robbers.’ 6. ‘No disciplined child upbringing at Akame.’ 7. ‘Akame people are shielding criminals.’ 8. ‘Vigilante groups being robbers are in Akame.’ 9. ‘The Akame citizens are having toy-brains.’ 10. ‘The security agencies are condoning with the people of Akame to commit crimes.’ to the annoyance of Wilfred Dakunya, Assemblyman for Akame, Dumega Agobodzo and the citizens of Akame.”

It is very true that LAW-ENFORCEMENT and the JUDICIARY deal only with DIRECT STATEMENTS: They want to know what exactly or actually was said. The publications did not include any incitement of any individual or a group against another. The charges included:

1. OFFENSIVE CONDUCT CONDUSIVE TO THE BREACH OF PEACE: CONTRARY TO SECTION 207 OF CRIMINAL OFFENCES ACT 1960. (ACT29)

2. PUBLICATION OF FALSE NEWS WITH THE INTENT TO CAUSE FEAR AND ALARM: CONTRARY TO SECTION 208 OF THE CRIMINAL OFFENCES ACT 1960 (ACT29).

Let me state the fact that when the publications were made, I was the very person to bring it to the attention of the Assemblyman;and he was the first person to know of such publications,apart from me. He sent copies of the links to an administrator of the Akame Youth WhatsApp Group. That administrator posted the links with his own publictions that incited the people against me. That same administrator was very busy insulting the people of KPOTA and the peaceful families of DZONYRAH and HOTORWU, especially, and incited people against them. That same administrator confessed to me on record that he actually insulted the Reagent KOFI HOTORWU – and that for no apparent reason. That same administrator ASSAULTED ME whilst his brother told me on record that my late father murdered someone – I believe strongly they know – and run to Akame dressed as a woman; and that I was a baby when my family arrived as we brought witchcraft to Akame. Only administrators can add or remove someone from a WhatsApp Group. The motive was very clear from the very beginning. As stated earlier, some people nearly took advantage of a publication made in good faith to nearly lead the town of Akame onto the path of violence.

Let me continue to state that, it is a registered media organization that published the articles and not myself on a social media platform as provided as FACT. Before any publication is made, it is scanned for anything inciting and not in line with the laws. Articles 62, 63 and 64 established the media and tasked them to ALWAYS act ONLY in the interest of National Security. I made it clear from the very beginning that those publications will be taken down if we make some changes: because it was not in my power to order that and be obeyed easily. I,infact,asked for the publications to be taken down as soon as the incitements on WhatsApp came to my attention in Mid-February. And I worked intensively with state security as to how best to help correct the problems we face as a community.

The issue of me not being present when invited over to an unsecured location should be ruled out. I explained my position clearly to the two unit committee members sent to invite me over on the 30th of January. I made it clear to them how parliament summon Ghanaians to the House because it is a secured place for representatives. Let us learn from past mistakes: Everyone knows of the accident involving the late Major and the people of Denkyira-Obuasi. Why my explanations which would be the exact words to be spoken at any meeting was not taken in BUT my presence in an unsafe location was all that was needed is very suspicious and a strong matter of question.

I would finally like to apologize to the good people of Akame that those publications were done in good faith, written to reflect how other communities perceive Akame to be; and to be considered and the necessary steps taken to clean the negative images that have become stuck with the town. The materials were completely misunderstood. I have suffered more backlash than anybody because of Akame. I can vividly remember how at Basic and SHS my colleagues spoke ill of where I come from: and had it not been for my academic performances, not even a single person would have been around me. And even today, my friends prefer I meet them away from Akame – something I really do not find comfortable.

Calls came in from France and Belgium that Akame was shown on the television. Yes! I brought my friends to act local movies at AKAME-DZOGBETO. Viewers in Togo were so shocked that they had to rush to revisit the village. As a result of those movies, DZOGBETO which had no lighting system had to be gifted several solar panels and lighting systems. I have supported the education of several youths from Akame by contributing financially and morally. I have registered a production company with the location been AKAME: and had it not been for certain elements from Akame, the company would have been fully operational by now. My friends and I have even agreed to turn DZOGBETO into a small film village to generate revenue for the community; and also train few of the youth in acting. How then can I stand up in a day and make publications to tarnish the image of the town. In every article, the phrases KNOWN AS and KNOWN FOR do not reflect reality but means it is either true or false. For instance,the statement, NIGERIAN MEN ARE KNOWN NOT TO BE FAITHFUL IN MARRIAGE, as published last week can either be true of false. That is the effect of those phrases in articles.

Those affected in any way, shape or form by the publications should accept my apologies and kindly come to terms with the good faith that was misunderstood. To those affected, I say SORRY. To those who stood for me, I say, may the good Lord reward your efforts.

I am a peaceful citizen and will continue to promote the peace.

By Sylvo BEN-AFA