A group calling itself- the Movement For The Protection Of Local Entrepreneurs (MPLE) – has advised President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to call his Lebanese friend and journalist, Fadi Dabbousi, to stop attacking and pestering genuine businessmen and local entrepreneurs in the country.

According to the group, the constant harassment of local entrepreneurs by the Lebanese journalist was worrying, adding that his action contradicts the NPP’s mantra, “the private sector is the engine of growth.”

“For some strange reasons this so-called journalist who is close to the presidency has been making monstrous and dangerous allegation against Ghanaian businessmen under the guise of exposing alleged corruption committed by these businessmen. Sadly, he ends up ruining the hard won reputation of these individuals since he fails to provide any shred of evidence in his articles,” the group said in a statement issued yesterday in Accra and signed by its Convener, Patrick Duah Agyeman.

“We therefore challenge Fadi Dabbousi to come out with a smidgeon of proof or documentary evidence on all the allegations levelled and published against some successful local entrepreneurs in this country, and this must be done in a ‘hurry’ which is in line with the NPP government’s commitment to Ghanaians,” it stressed.

The statement drew attention of the National Media Commission, Ghana Journalists Association and other well-meaning Ghanaians to it described as “persistent, cruel and vicious attacks” on local businessmen by Fadi Dabbousi.

“Mr. Dabbousi has the right to freedom of speech as enshrined in the 1992 Constitution of Ghana but he must not abuse it by constantly making false claims against local businessmen perceived to be his party’s political opponents,” the group advised.

“More so, he must desist from inciting the state security apparatus including the Bureau of National Investigation (BNI) against these innocent individuals, particularly when he has not provided any shred of evidence to back many of his dodgy and unimaginable articles,” the statement added.

Ironically, the statement added that Fadi, whose “numerous monstrous and illogical write-ups,” threaten the survival of Ghanaian businesses, was the same person supporting Mawarko Restaurant over its recent inhuman ‘Pepper Attack,’ an act they said has been condemned by all loyal and cherished citizens of Ghana including statesmen.