The Public Utility Workers’ Union (PUWU) of the Trades Union Congress (TUC) has demanded a retraction and apology from XYZ Broadcasting Limited over allegations it says were defamatory against Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) engineers in the Ashanti Region.

In a letter dated 29 May, PUWU accused TV XYZ of broadcasting unverified claims on its “Inside Politics” programme on 4 May, alleging that some District Engineers of the ECG had received inducements to deliberately disrupt power supply for political purposes.

The union said the allegations were aired without “verifiable evidence, due diligence, or opportunity for the affected individuals to respond”, describing the broadcast as damaging to the reputation of its members.

“The allegations are false, unsubstantiated, and defamatory in nature,” PUWU said in the letter.

It argued that the broadcast had caused “reputational damage, public ridicule, and emotional distress” to the engineers involved and had undermined public trust in the state power distributor.

PUWU has therefore requested either the provision of evidence to substantiate the claims or a public retraction and apology issued with equal prominence to the original broadcast.

The union gave the broadcaster one week to comply, warning that it would take further steps if no action is taken.

It also copied the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) management, the National Media Commission, and other stakeholders, calling for media accountability in the handling of sensitive allegations involving public officials.

The ECG engineers involved have not publicly responded to the allegations.

XYZ Broadcasting Limited has also not issued a public statement on the matter.

A former Energy Minister Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, aka “Napo” filed a defamation suit against two media outlets seeking GHC20 million in damages over allegations that he was involved in a scheme to sabotage electricity supply in parts of the Ashanti Region.

The suit, filed through Sarkodie Baffour Awuah & Partners, also names a radio and television host, Salifu Maase, aka Mugabe Maase as defendant.

The plaintiff alleges that during a programme titled “Inside Politics,” broadcast on TV XYZ and Power 97.9 FM, the host aired an audio recording from an anonymous source which accused him of paying District Engineers of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) in the Ashanti Region to deliberately disrupt power supply.

Court filings state that the recording contained claims that several ECG district engineers and political figures allegedly met and received payments, and that instructions were given to switch off electricity in parts of the region.

The plaintiff contends the allegations are false, malicious, and damaging to his reputation, adding that they portray him as engaging in unlawful conduct and undermining national interest.

He further argues that the publication has caused harm to his public image built through years of public service, including recognition from institutions such as the University of Professional Studies, Accra.

According to court documents, Napo is asking for a declaration that statements broadcast on TV XYZ and Power 97.9 FM on 4 May 2026, are defamatory, alongside an order compelling an unqualified retraction and apology to be published with equal prominence within seven days of judgment.

He is also seeking a perpetual injunction to restrain the defendants and their agents from further publishing what he describes as defamatory material, as well as an order preventing the media platforms from being used to disseminate false and malicious claims about him.

The suit demands costs including legal fees and any other reliefs the court may deem appropriate.