TRIBE Culture Fest challenges Sports Minister to provide evidence for alleged US$611,000 payments, threatens legal action

TRIBE Culture Fest has challenged the Minister for Sports and Recreation, Kofi Adams, to provide evidence to support allegations that its Chief Executive Officer, Nana Boateng Gyimah illegally received US$611,000 and is avoiding a refund.

At a press conference on Sunday, October 18, TRIBE Culture Fest CEO said the allegation by the Sports Minister was serious and could damage its reputation, affect its commercial relationships and undermine public confidence before the facts had been established.

Responding to the Minister's claim, Nana Gyimah urged him to provide documentary evidence identifying the individuals who allegedly made the payments, the recipient of the funds and the agreement under which the money was supposed to be refunded

It also called for clarification of the legal basis for which whatever contract demanded a refund from the organisation.

"We therefore reject any attempt to present the allegation against TRIBE or its CEO as a proven instance of illegal conduct without the supporting evidence being established.

"We ask the Minister to publicly identify the documentary and transactional basis for the allegation, including the agreement said to create the obligation, the persons said to have made the payments, the identity of the recipient and the basis upon which the money is said to be refundable by TRIBE," the CEO noted.

Nana Gyimah noted that public officials had a responsibility to communicate accurately and fairly, particularly when making allegations that could be perceived as established facts because of the authority of their offices.

He stressed that TRIBE Culture Fest was not opposed to investigations into credible allegations but maintained that conclusions about wrongdoing should not be reached before the facts were established.

"Our position is not that allegations should never be investigated. On the contrary, all credible allegations should be investigated thoroughly. Our position is that investigation must precede conclusions about guilt, and that public accusations should be grounded in verifiable facts," he stated.

Nana Gyimah further disclosed that lawyers of TRIBE Culture Fest had formally demanded a retraction and an unqualified apology over the allegations.

He noted that the organisation stood by that demand and reserved its legal rights, adding that it intended to pursue the matter through the appropriate legal channels rather than political confrontation or speculation.

"We maintain that position and reserve all rights available to us under applicable law. This is a matter we intend to address through the proper legal channels, not through political confrontation or speculation."