Diplomat Missing in Japan -Rejoinder

PETITION TO THE NATIONAL MEDIA COMMISSION

Sir,

PETITION AGAINST A PUBLICATION BY THE DAILY GUIDE WITH THE HEADING 'DIPLOMAT MISSING IN JAPAN'

I wish to officially protest against the unethical publication by the Daily Guide on November 20, 2007 with a front page heading 'Diplomat Missing in Japan' by Bennett Akuaku and Mike Avickson and posted on the 'Ghanaweb' by one Nicholas.

The publication No. 2186 by the Daily Guide was a complete fabrication and a barrage of smear campaign. The Article was an attempt to spread vicious rumors and innuendoes against me, Issaka Issifu, as a Foreign Service (Research) Officer on an official duty tour.

Unfair as the publication was, it failed to consider any injury to my person, family and career. It did not consider my feelings, concerns and possible reaction to the allegations and the stated sources. It also never considered potent any official view or comment from my employer, the Ghana Government and or my immediate supervisory Agency and Ministries; the Research Department, Ministries of National Security and Foreign Affairs respectively.


Further, the Daily Guide failed to make any reference to anyone at my duty post at the Embassy of Ghana in Japan and or any previous, associated or similar publications that could have hinted of other versions or inadequacies at that (Ghana) Mission under H. E. Ambassador (Dr.) Barfuor Adjei-Barwuah.


Unfortunately, the reporters of the Daily Guide purported to have authority to reiterate the spread of falsehood, and allegations by the Ambassador without adequate confirmations, references and specifications.


The Daily Guide purposefully misrepresented the situation and events at the Tokyo Mission in its publication to favor Ambassador (Dr.) Barfuor Adjei-Barwuah as he aspired to be his Party's Presidential candidate. The journalists may have wanted satisfy the paper's business or private interests and possibly in the fulfillment of the desires and interests of other government officials, no matter the cost me as a national security agent abroad risking for my country.

Attached is a copy of the publication and my comments that may give an in-depth into the weird diplomatic circumstances under which many of us on oath served and suffered under Dr. Barfuor Adjei-Barwuah's accreditation. I belief in the rule of law and basic human rights particularly the right to work with dignity and freedom of speech, but strongly dislike and would not countenance unprofessional and 'kid' journalism. I hope the Commissioner, National Media Commission, would promptly bring the two authors, their editors and this private paper, the 'Daily Guide' to order. I am seeking a review and apology for the damages accordingly. I demand an equally visible (front-page) publication is made indicating their personal and documentary sources with confirmation from all the concerned Ministries, Departments and Agencies. I still consider the possibility of a legal action if dissatisfied with their reaction to this request.

COMMENTS

I wish to state authoritatively that I am neither missing nor deserted my duty post.


I have never attempted stealing any monies, impersonated anyone or gambled during my duty tour in Tokyo, Japan. Even though I was deliberately refused access to the chancery and my office, refused my emolument and refunds, and defrauded, I do not have the keys to any official car or office cabinet(s). All attempts to complete handing over my duties were deliberately frustrated until my life was threatened and the host police instructed to evict me from my residence in Tokyo, Japan by the Ambassador (Dr.) Barfuor Adjei-Barwuah.


At the end of July 2007, four Senior Research officers (intelligence officers) namely:


1. Mr. Nana B. K. Yeboah (Deputy Director Research Department),

2. Mr. Bosompem (introduced himself as an Ambassador to my wife),


3. Mr. Nana Kwesi Arhin (Minister at our Mission in New York),


4. Mr. Joseph Ngmnibayihi (Counsellor at Ghana's Consulate in New York)


were officially used to intimidate and threaten me and my family with the possibility of been pushed to seek refuge, commit suicide or be killed with the employment of 'Contract Killers'.

Nana B. K. Yeboah met and threatened me at the Okura hotel in Tokyo refusing my request to properly handover my duty and refused my offer to return home with him.


Simultaneously, the three other male officers visited my wife in my absence and without my knowledge at her private residence in the USA and intimidated her with the children. Since then my wife and children feel unsafe for the intimidating visit as I try to mend my relation with them due to the falsehood communicated to them.


I do not begrudge those officers but caution that one may have to answer for his deeds sometime in life. At least the threats of further persecution after what I had suffered in the hands of Dr. Barfuor Adjei-Barwuah, complemented by other sources, were confirmed by the publication in the Daily Guide in which the paper warned against my return home. The decision to get rid of me is politically motivated to cover up the financial and administrative inadequacies of Dr. Barfuor Adjei-Barwuah which I shall address subsequently and appropriately.


I am not at home simply for my safety and that of my family due to the above stated threats and the desire by officialdom to protect the indefensible Ambassador Dr. Barfuor Adjei-Barwuah.

I am counting on the Commission?s constitutional mandate and tireless efforts for a professional and responsible media in Ghana to enable me recover my career, resources and self-esteem safely. Respectfully submitted, Sir.


Issaka Issifu (Counsellor)


cc:


- Ghana News Agency (GNA) & for the media in Ghana
- Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, Ghana Office (office@fesghana.org.gh)
- Graphic & Ghanaian Times