In a heart-wrenching development, Noah Narh Dameh, who held the position of Deputy Station Coordinator at Radio Ada, has passed away at the age of 49.
This somber news was confirmed by a report from fourthestate.gh.com.
Mr. Dameh, who had been entangled in a legal dispute over allegations of disseminating false information concerning businessman Daniel McKorley, commonly known as McDan, breathed his last in the confines of his home.
The precise cause of Mr. Dameh’s passing remains undisclosed, but individuals close to his family disclosed that his health had been in a precarious state since his release from police custody in December 2022.
Noah Narh Dameh leaves behind three children and two grandchildren.
His significance extended beyond his role in the media, as he was a committed community advocate who utilized his position at Radio Ada to champion the cause of the coastal region, renowned for its commercial salt production.
Throughout his career, Mr. Dameh labored tirelessly to engage the community on issues pertaining to their civic rights and responsibilities.
He accomplished this by delivering news stories and valuable insights not only to the Dangme people but also to a wider audience.
In addition to his work within the radio studio, Mr. Dameh actively participated in various community initiatives.
He spearheaded numerous endeavors aimed at effecting positive change within the community.
However, Mr. Dameh’s health deteriorated significantly as a result of the events surrounding his relentless reporting on the contentious lease of the Songhor Lagoon to a single investor.
In his quest for justice, he shed light on grave human rights violations, including arbitrary arrests, detentions, prosecutions, and brutalities endured by some Ada residents in connection with the lease.
The turning point came when Mr. Dameh posted a photograph on his Facebook page, depicting an Ada resident handcuffed to a hospital bed while in police custody.
In his post, he alleged that the young man was being mistreated at the behest of Mr. McKorley, the Chief Executive Officer of Electrochem Ghana Limited, the company that had been granted a salt mining lease in Ada.
In response to these allegations, Electrochem Ghana Limited initiated a defamation lawsuit against Mr. Dameh.
This legal battle thrust Mr. Dameh into the national spotlight, where he continued to champion the cause of the marginalized and oppressed.
In December 2022, he was discharged by the Tema Magistrate Court, which cited a lack of jurisdiction over the case.
However, an unexpected twist occurred when he was re-arrested by the police and remanded for seven days.
Subsequently, he was granted police inquiry bail of GH₵ 60,000.00 and appeared in court with his lawyer.
On July 3, 2023, an unfortunate incident unfolded when his lawyer failed to appear in court.
The presiding judge accused Mr. Dameh of impersonation, even expressing difficulty in recognizing him due to his deteriorating health.
Eventually, the police investigator on the case identified him as the accused.
Regrettably, Mr. Dameh’s health continued to deteriorate, and he was unable to recover.