Stratcon Energy Sues IMANI’s Bright Simons for GHS 22m Over Defamation Claims
Stratcon Energy and Trading Ltd, a leading bulk oil distribution and trading company, together with its Chief Executive Officer, Harry Campbell, has instituted a defamation suit against Bright Simons, Vice President of policy think tank IMANI Africa.
Filed at the Accra High Court on Tuesday, July 23, the suit seeks GHS22 million in general damages for what the plaintiffs describe as “false, malicious, reckless and defamatory publications” made by Mr Simons on social media platform X (formerly Twitter).
According to the plaintiffs, the said statements were calculated to damage their professional standing, subject them to public ridicule and erode trust among industry stakeholders.
In addition to the damages, Stratcon and Mr Campbell are seeking a perpetual injunction restraining Mr Simons from making or facilitating further defamatory comments. The plaintiffs are also requesting a full retraction and an unqualified public apology to be published on the same platform with equal prominence.
Per court documents sighted by EnergyCrossroad.com, the dispute centres on a series of posts published by Mr Simons on January 8, 2025, which questioned Mr Campbell’s qualifications, suggested he was “imposed” on the emergency fuel supply chain, and implied the exertion of political influence in the award of fuel contracts.
One of the posts cited in the writ reads:
“There have been reports that Harry Campbell of Stratcon was somehow ‘imposed’ on the emergency fuel supply system. I recall that when Harry Campbell tried to break into Liberia, analysts there quickly established that he was exaggerating his standing in Ghana. The question is: how did he come into the equation in the first place?”
The plaintiffs argue that such remarks amount to an attack on Mr Campbell’s integrity and falsely suggest unethical conduct and misrepresentation in business dealings. They claim the statements have not only undermined Stratcon’s business relationships but have also exposed the company and its CEO to reputational and commercial risks.
Stratcon maintains that the posts have been widely circulated, attracting quote tweets, comments and media citations, which have compounded the reputational injury and loss of business opportunities.
The defamation suit, coming at a time of growing public discourse over transparency and alleged political interference in Ghana’s energy sector, is likely to trigger broader debates over freedom of expression, corporate reputation, and the role of watchdog commentary in public policy.
