Prominent lawyer and director of JG Resources Limited (JGR), Papa Yaw Owusu-Ankomah, has strongly denied allegations of fraud and forgery circulating in sections of the media, describing them as part of a calculated smear campaign aimed at forcing him to accept unfavourable commercial terms.
In a press statement issued in Accra, Owusu-Ankomah, a non-executive director of JGR, said recent publications portraying him and other directors as fraudsters were “false, sensational, and unethical.”
He maintained that his professional record remains unblemished and that he has never engaged in fraudulent conduct.
He alleged that the campaign is being orchestrated by Gabriel Tanko Kwamigah Atokple, a member of the Council of State representing the Volta Region, and his company, Sesi Edem Company Limited, in connection with a disputed gold supply transaction.
$2.6 Million Dispute
According to the statement, JGR brokered gold purchases in May 2025 from three licensed exporters, including Sesi Edem Company Limited. However, the suppliers allegedly failed to meet their contractual delivery obligations.
Owusu-Ankomah claims that in the case of Sesi Edem, quantities delivered did not match what was received by the buyer, and agreed delivery timelines were repeatedly breached despite personal assurances from Atokple. He said the outstanding value of undelivered supply from Sesi Edem stands at nearly $2.6 million.
Following unsuccessful attempts to resolve the matter, JGR referred the case to the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO). However, he noted that EOCO’s inquiries were later halted without explanation.
Forgery and Financing Claims Rejected
The statement also addressed allegations that JGR used a forged tripartite agreement to secure financing from a foreign partner.
Owusu-Ankomah rejected the claim, insisting that the foreign partner’s decision to release funds was based solely on a personal relationship with another JGR director and not on any representations made by him or the company.
He described assertions linking him to criminal wrongdoing as “entirely unfounded,” adding that another petition filed with the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) by a company claiming to have financed JGR directly contradicts bank records.
“There is no fraud. There never was,” he said.
Legal Battle Intensifies
Owusu-Ankomah further criticised what he described as the misuse of legal processes to create sensational headlines. He cited an ex parte interim order obtained by Sesi Edem Company Limited to freeze JGR’s bank account, followed by contempt proceedings against the company’s directors.
He argued that the freezing order made it impossible for JGR to comply with directives to transfer funds into court, dismissing reports suggesting he faces imminent imprisonment as misleading.
In addition, he alleged that a senior government official attempted to interfere in the dispute by assuring Atokple of a “favourable outcome” in exchange for a commission — an allegation he described as deeply troubling.
Commitment to Legal Redress
Owusu-Ankomah maintained that JGR has acted transparently and referred all disputes through lawful channels rather than through media campaigns. He pledged to defend his reputation vigorously and pursue legal remedies against what he called defamatory publications.
“I remain committed to transparency, accountability, and the protection of my professional reputation,” he stated, warning that any further false claims would be addressed decisively through the courts.
