OB demands formal apology from Archer

Accra, Aug. 24, GNA - Mr O. B. Amoah, a Deputy Minister of Education and Sports said he would only discontinue with the 1.5 billion cedis legal suit against Mr Raymond Archer, Editor of the Enquirer Newspaper if he rendered a formal apology.

Mr Archer was reported to have apologised on radio in connection with a Front Page story he carried on Monday implicating the deputy Minister and two others for collecting 20 million dollars to influence the award of contract to a Chinese construction firm for the construction of staid for CAN 2008.

Mr Amoah, together with his boss Yaw Osafo Maafo and Dr Kofi Amoah, Chairman of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) were linked to the allegation in the story.

He told the GNA Sports that Archer's apology must be formal and he must use the same medium through which he made the allegation to publish the apology.

The Deputy Minister announced he would initiate legal action against the young Editor and his Publishers for 1.5 billion cedis damages.

Mr Amoah said he would only discontinue the legal action if Archer did the right thing.

Dr Kofi Amoah explained on Joy FM, an Accra-based radio station on Wednesday that the Chinese company was considered ahead of those short-listed because of its relatively lower bid.

The company was prepared to build a 30,000 all seater capacity stadium at the cost of 25 million dollars while the others quoted about 75 million euro and beyond.

The LOC Chairman said although the money to be used in building the stadiums would be in a form of a loan, it did not mean government should not make wise decisions.

Dr Amoah, together with the Minister visited China to look at some of the construction works of the company including a modern stadium in Shangai.

Ministry sources told the GNA Sports that all things being equal, construction work should begin in October, this year.