Countryman Songo (L) and Former Black Stars defender, John Paintsil
Former Black Stars defender, John Paintsil has outrightly rejected a GH¢100,000 compensation proposal from the Multimedia Group and its sports presenter, Patrick Osei Agyemang, popularly known as “Countryman Songo”, in an ongoing defamation suit.
The legal tussle stems from comments made on a popular sports programme aired by the Multimedia Group, which Paintsil claims were not only false but damaging to his image, credibility, and legacy in Ghanaian football.
He is demanding GH¢20 million in compensation from the media conglomerate and an additional GH¢5 million from Countryman Songo personally for the defamatory remarks made against him.
According to the terms of the offer presented by the Multimedia Group and Countryman Songo, the GH¢100,000 compensation was proposed presumably in an attempt to settle the matter out of court.
However, sources close to the player say Paintsil found the offer “disrespectful,” especially considering the scale of public defamation and the professional and personal toll it has taken on him.
Paintsil is being represented by Theophilus Tawiah of WTS Nobisfields, a leading Ghanaian law firm with a strong reputation for litigation, dispute resolution, and corporate legal services.
WTS Nobisfields is the Ghana member firm of WTS Global, a top-tier international tax and legal network.
At the last court hearing on 18th July 2025, Multimedia Group and Patrick Osei Agyemang were ordered by the court to file their witness statements within two weeks, having previously failed to comply with earlier directives.
The case was subsequently adjourned to 17th October 2025 for Case Management Conference.
Paintsil, who has represented Ghana at the highest levels of international football and is widely respected within and outside the sporting fraternity, insists that justice must be served through proper legal means.
He has vowed to pursue the case to its legal conclusion.
This development has reignited public discourse around media ethics, accountability, and the long-standing tensions between sports personalities and broadcasters in Ghana.
Legal observers believe the outcome of this case could set a significant precedent in how defamation cases involving high-profile individuals and media houses are treated in the country.
As of now, the case remains active in court, and the Multimedia Group has yet to publicly respond to Paintsil’s rejection of their settlement offer.
