Africa: Mahamadou Bonkoungou, a new target for Saïd Penda, a shady journalist of dubious reputation
The African media scene has its puppets, and Saïd Penda seems determined to be the most predictable of them all. Here he comes again, stepping out of the shadows to brandish a new “revelation” — as grotesque as it is clumsily constructed — this time targeting Ebomaf and its CEO, Mahamadou Bonkoungou. According to this self-proclaimed crusader for virtue, the company has supposedly never won a contract without greasing a few well-placed palms. What audacity in approximation, what recklessness in accusation! Once again, the public is witnessing a crude attempt at slander, dressed up in pseudo-journalistic language subtly aimed… at settling scores.
In a style that resembles a witch hunt more than rigorous investigation, Mr. Saïd Penda claims — without evidence, of course — that Ebomaf owes its success solely to alleged bribes paid to African officials. Worse still, he openly calls on Gabonese President Clotaire Oligui Nguema to bar Mahamadou Bonkoungou from public contracts. This suspicious haste speaks volumes about the real agenda behind this discourse, likely dictated by nervous competitors unable to compete fairly on the field of quality work.
What is Ebomaf really being accused of? Of operating in several African countries? Of completing projects on time? Of building a solid reputation through rigorous management of public works? Success often provokes envy, as we know. But when it’s local, African, and unapologetically so, it becomes unbearable for certain lobbies that prefer to defame rather than excel.
To accuse without basis, to use suspicion as a tool of propaganda, to manipulate perceptions to discredit a major economic player — this is the shadow play of a certain brand of commissioned journalism. The fact that it comes from someone whose objectivity is highly questionable only adds to the farcical nature of the attack.
Ebomaf has no need to clear its name; its work speaks for itself. To those trying to tarnish its image, it’s worth remembering: defamation has never paved a road or built a bridge. The continent needs builders, not bitter polemicists. And Mahamadou Bonkoungou, whether they like it or not, is one of the former.
