Dramatic twist in ‘Tapegate’…’I know this voice. Castle knows too’
Another forged document exposed
Economy needs redirection – AGI official
Rawlings Tape not forgery
Dramatic twist in ‘Tapegate’…’I know this voice. Castle knows too’
"That tape is not forgery, the Ghanaian Chronicle quotes Mr Kweku Baako Jnr., Editor of the "Crusading Guide", in its top story, as telling the team of investigators chaired by the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Peter Tinganaba Nanfuri on Wednesday.
According to the Chronicle, Mr Baako told his investigators that far from the tape being a ‘forgery’, as stated by the government, the voice of ‘Albert’, one of the persons on the tape recorded conversation, imputing criminal acts to President Rawlings, belonged to a member of the President’s entourage.
The paper says when asked whether Albert exists, Mr Baako replied: "He exists. As far as I’m concerned, he was one of the May 15th and June 4th boys. He was closely associated with the AFRC and has been closely associated with the President. In fact he is supposed to have been implicated by Jack Bebli in the 2.4 billion cedis gold robbery. I told them who he was.
I would not want to mention his surname because it would be a bit unfair on my part. We (the police and Baako) argued over that, and I admitted I may be wrong because you can hear a voice you think it’s the voice but it may not be true. He too can deny that he is the one.
But I told them that they should seek technological assistance, they can have a voice imprint to confirm whether it was him or not". Mr Baako is reported as saying that his belief in the credibility of the "Statesman Tape", was rooted in the fact that the late Tony Gbeho, a top security officer, politically aligned to the NDC, whose house was burnt, as told on the tape, told him that he (Gbeho) was convinced that "the thing was an inside job".
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Another forged document exposed
The Daily Graphic reports that the Egyptian Embassy in Ghana has alerted the public to a forged document which seeks to mar relations between Ghana and Egypt.
In a front-page screaming headline, the Graphic said the Embassy said the document, which is currently in circulation, gives the impression that it was issued by the Egyptian Embassy in Accra.
According to a statement issued by the Embassy yesterday, the document in the form of a letter, contains fabricated opinions and allegations about top-ranking personalities in the Ghanaian Government, including the President.
The Embassy, the Graphic says, wishes to make it undoubtedly clear that it is a fake and false document. "The heading and signature are obviously forged and reproduced", the paper quotes the statement as saying. The statement described the content of the letter as ‘far from being true’, saying that the whole thing is an attempt to get the Embassy involved in issues beyond its duties.
The Graphic says the statement underscored the excellent relations existing between Egypt and Ghana, describing them as ‘matured’, ‘sound’ and solid. "The relations cannot, therefore, be affected by such irresponsible, criminal and childish games", the statement adds.
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Economy needs redirection – AGI official
In its lead story, the Ghanaian Times reports an official of the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) as describing the current economic problems facing Ghana as ‘opportune time’ for a change in the country’s economic direction. The Times reports that Mr Andrew Quayson, an executive member of the Association, in his contribution at a forum organised by the Private Enterprise Foundation (PEF) in Accra, said "no nation thrives on just buying and selling".
Mr Quayson is said to have stated that the over-reliance on cocoa and gold as the major foreign exchange earners, and the neglect of the other sectors of the economy is suicidal.
"Today, the manufacturing industry is on the verge of collapsing. People are confident when they buy and sell imported goods rather than manufacture them here in Ghana", he is quoted as saying. According to the Times, Mr Quayson said the manufacturers still have the training given them by the colonial masters and are not in tune with modern trends in the industry.
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The Weekend Statesman
Rawlings Tape not forgery
In a front-page splash, the Weekend Statesman says Nana Akufo Addo, chairman of Kinesic Communications Limited, publishers of the "Statesman" and "Weekend Statesman" has hit back at the government’s reaction to the "Rawlings Tape", which has caused considerable controversy over the past one week.
He is quoted as saying that the tape is not a forgery, as the government claims! The paper says Nana Akufo Addo, who was addressing a crowded news conference in Accra on Wednesday, said the government’s description of the tape as a " crude forgery", is too hasty and premature.
"It would be an act of extraordinary folly to send material to the public authorities so defective that in 24 hours it could be detected as a ‘forgery’. That is a very successful act of mischief, if sheer mischief was what was intended", he is quoted as saying. The paper reports Nana Akufo Addo as saying that the hysterical reaction of the government did not come as a surprise to him.
"This is the typical reaction of an insecure regime with a weak case – disregard the issues and the argument of principle and concentrate on the abuse and threats. It is a tactic that rarely succeeds in the long run", he said.
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