Mahama rubbishes ‘Statesman’ allegations

The Director of Communications of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr. John Mahama, has debunked claims made by the editor of the 'Statesman,' Mr. Asare Otchere-Darko, that the NDC is planning mayhem in the event that it loses this year's elections.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with The Chronicle yesterday, Mr. Mahama said the NDC mid-wived the process of birth of the Fourth Republic and would do absolutely nothing to abort it.

Mr. Mahama described the allegations as a figment of the Statesman editor's imagination and challenged the security agencies to investigate the claims.

He recalled that in the past similar allegations bordering on national security published in newspapers considered not to be pro-government had resulted in the editors being summoned to the Bureau of National Investigation (BNI) to help in investigations.

The NDC Communications man also recalled the invitation to BNI by the MP for Gomoa East, Ama Benyiwa Doe, Dzidzor Tay, Dr. Edward Mahama, and Mr. Dan Lartey, for making various benign statements.

He said on the contrary there is a trend where newspapers considered pro-government, like the 'Statesman' and the 'Vanguard,' make very serious allegations of threat to national security, but the security agencies do not consider them worth investigating.

“Is it that these allegations are made with the connivance of the security agencies,” he fired.

Mr. Mahama explained that even when the NDC lost the elections of 2000 and still had control over the security agencies it did not create mayhem, but handed over power peacefully.

He did not see how in opposition, without any control of any powers of coercion, the NDC could create mayhem in the country.

Mr. Mahama said the threat to our security today are reports of the creation of parallel security agencies, like the so-called Party Police, the activities of Alpha Bravo, the threat posed by the Peace Seekers International and fears that the NPP would refuse to hand over power in the event that it lost the elections of 2004.

He described the incarceration of the NDC Parliamentary candidate for Ayawaso Central in prison custody as political.

He said Mr. Said Sinare is a former Member of Parliament and a well-known figure in society who will not flee from justice if granted bail. He wondered why such a person was not granted bail while the case is investigated.

In any case numerous people involved in electoral malpractices who are NPP members are walking free in the streets of Ghana, he noted.

He recalled the case of the NPP activist who fired shots at an electoral registration centre in Tamale and was sprung from prison custody.

Mr. Mahama said the existing climate of “selective justice” does not augur well for the unity and integrity of the nation.

He pledged that the NDC would pursue only legitimate and constitutional means to redress any grievances it might have, adding that Ghana is bigger than any personality or political party.

The Statesman reported in its edition of Tuesday, 13th July 2004 that the NDC had held a secret meeting at which it decided among others that it would make the country ungovernable in the event that it lost the elections of December 2004.