An order for substituted service has been issued against Ghana Athletics (GA), its President Bawa Fuseini, Vice President Charles Osei-Asibey, and Technical Head Andrew Owusu, after the officials reportedly evaded being served with a writ in a GHC100 million defamation suit.
The legal action was initiated by Wisdom Loh, a former Ghanaian national athlete currently based in the United States. According to a report by the Daily Graphic, the suit alleges that the defendants made defamatory statements accusing Loh of athlete abuse, sexual misconduct involving minors, and actions that allegedly brought the Ghana Athletics Association (GAA) into disrepute.
This case stems from a safeguarding investigation launched by GA concerning the conduct of athletics coaches. The probe resulted in the immediate suspension of Wisdom Loh and Jeffrey Nkrumah, invoking Article 33:17 of the World Athletics Integrity Code of Conduct. GA claimed the inquiry examined whether the individuals’ actions contributed to the exploitation of athletes, both within Ghana and among Ghanaian athletes abroad.
However, Loh’s legal counsel, James Addo, has refuted these allegations, stating emphatically that Mr Loh has never served as a coach or manager of any Ghanaian athlete. Instead, Mr Addo characterised Loh as a former athlete and private individual who has offered philanthropic support to Ghanaian athletes by assisting them in securing university scholarships and providing financial aid — all at his personal cost and without expectation of compensation.
The case adds to a growing series of legal challenges confronting Ghana Athletics. Notably, it follows a precedent set by a previous defamation ruling in which former GAA President George Haldane Lutterodt was awarded GHC500,000 in damages against Andrew Owusu. The ruling highlighted growing concerns over the GA’s public communications and its capacity to maintain trust and credibility within the athletic community.
As of now, no further updates have been provided regarding the progress of the case or court proceedings, making it a significant litmus test for the leadership of Ghana Athletics.
