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06.12.2012 Crime & Punishment

Akufo-Addo Was Arrested With Drugs: Africawatch Editor Insists

By The Crystal Clear Lens Newspaper
Nana Akufo-AddoNana Akufo-Addo
06.12.2012 LISTEN

The Africcawatch Magazine Editor, Mr. Steve Mallory has fully accepted thesecret tape recording that is making the rounds in media cycles which was first published by the Ghanaian Lens newspaper that has his voice, confirming that the reported incident of Akufo-Addo having been arrested with illicit drugs in the United States is true and that the said incident actually took place.

The confident editor's confirmation was at a meeting that took place between himself and Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko following Africawatch's publication confirming that Akufo-Addo was indeed arrested in the US over possession of illicit drugs.

In a statement issued yesterday and copied to the Crystal Clear Lens by the Mr. Mallory stated, “It came to my attention Dec. 4 with shock that a radio station in Accra has broadcast portions of an audiotaped conversation between myself and Gabby Otchere-Darko, a campaign staffer for Nana Akufo-Addo, presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party”.

He continued that “I have listened to the tape and the voice is mine. I want all to know that I stand by all the statements I made in that conversation, which I had made without malice whatsoever.

The conversation took place a full one year ago. Otchere-Darko had visited the Accra offices of the Africawatch magazine of which I am executive editor, to complain about some stories, and all unbeknown to me secretly recorded me. This is an illegal act in many countries”.

The editor who is obviously disappointed said the meeting which held between the persons was secretly recorded by Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko and described action by the Akufo-Addo's cousin as very irresponsible and irresponsible. Read the full statement below: 'GABBY OTCHERE-DARKO SECRETLY RECORDED ME' It came to my attention Dec. 4 with shock that a radio station in Accra has broadcast portions of an audiotaped conversation between myself and Gabby Otchere-Darko, a campaign staffer for Nana Akufo-Addo, presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party.

I have listened to the tape and the voice is mine. I want all to know that I stand by all the statements I made in that conversation, which I had made without malice whatsoever. The conversation took place a full one year ago. Otchere-Darko had visited the Accra offices of the Africawatch magazine of which I am executive editor, to complain about some stories, and all unbeknown to me secretly recorded me.

This is an illegal act in many countries. Listening to the full conversation on the tape, part of which was played by the Accra radio station, I now know that Otchere-Darko indeed made the tape, because after our conversation ends, the tape continues uninterrupted and he is heard calling a friend on his cell phone inside his car on his way home, and also stopping along the roadside to buy food.

It is obvious to anyone who listens to the tape that Otchere-Darko failed to turn off his concealed device after secretly recording our conversation in the Africawatch offices.

This is why his cell-phone conversation inside his car, and his further conversation with the food seller at the roadside, are all captured on the same tape. People who are interested in this rather mundane conversation should listen to the full and complete audio – not just portions – before making any judgments, because it is very easy for mischievous people to manipulate portions of the audiotape to serve their own purposes.

People should learn to play politics fairly – and not resort to dirty practices, such as secretly recording people without their knowledge. Such actions, I repeat, are illegal in many countries, and insult the intelligence of Ghana's citizens – and are not good for the country's democracy.

One last request: Please let everybody leave me out of your local politics. Signed, Steve Mallory Executive Editor Africawatch

ABOUT AFRICAWATCH
Africawatch is one of the most respected Pan-African magazines, reporting on the entire continent and regularly features articles on all issues, including politics, business, economics, environment, health, entertainment, culture, sports and the Diaspora. Africawatch reports from the African point of view and its journalists always go behind the headlines and strive to reach the areas that other magazines and newspapers don't cover. For more information call 212-586-4141. World news

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