Franklin Cudjoe
President of IMANI Africa, Franklin Cudjoe, has raised serious concerns over the authenticity of a press release circulating in the Ghanaian media space, allegedly linked to Azumah Resources—the Australian firm embroiled in a dispute with Ghanaian firm E&P over the Black Volta goldmine.
In a Facebook post on Monday, July 14, Mr. Cudjoe disclosed that he had received direct communication from Ms. Priya Dutt, a representative of Rostrum, the official communications agency for Azumah Resources. According to Ms. Dutt, the press release—which purported to dissociate Azumah from Bright Simons, Vice President of IMANI Africa—did not originate from the company and appears to have been artificially generated, possibly using AI.
“She stated that the press release circulating in the media dissociating themselves from Bright Simons was not issued by Azumah Resources. WHICH IS OBVIOUS SINCE BRIGHT HAS NEVER BEEN ‘ASSOCIATED’ WITH THEM IN THE FIRST PLACE,” Cudjoe wrote.
Azumah Resources, through its agency, is reportedly urging all media houses to direct inquiries to them via email at p.dutt@rostrum.agency and to refrain from publishing or referencing unofficial or unverified statements.
Describing the situation as “incredibly baffling” and “mind-boggling,” Cudjoe indicated that he has sent follow-up questions to Ms. Dutt seeking further clarification on the matter. He also issued a call to action to the editors and journalists who published the questionable release, demanding transparency on its origins.
“In the meantime, can the editors at all the media outlets that published the story and circulated the release tell us where they got it from?” he questioned.
Cudjoe also drew parallels between this incident and the recent confusion surrounding a controversial signing ceremony involving the ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID), which was also shrouded in miscommunication and irregular media invitations.
“What exactly is going on?” he asked. “What a murky affair!!!”
