Francis Poku; I was not disrespectful to the President

Former Minister for National Security, Francis Poku, has denied being insolent to President J.A. Kufuor during a meeting in the latter's residence on January 12, this year, during which he was relieved of his post.

According to the ex-minister, he discussed matters of policy with the President who thought it fit to relieve him of his post, after thanking him for his services rendered to the nation.

In a rejoinder to a story published last week by Myjoyonline on proceedings in Parliament during which the Chief of Staff, Mr. Kwadwo Mpiani answered questions relating to the whereabouts of Mr. Poku and related security matters, the ex-security chief said at no time during the said meeting did he show any disrespect to the President, contrary to what the said publication suggested.

"Our client wishes to clarify that the meeting between himself and the President of the Republic of Ghana prior to his removal as Minister for National Security, was completely devoid of any accusations relating to his professional conduct, his integrity, or any acts of impropriety or dishonesty," the rejoinder signed by Dr. Raymond Atuguba, a member of his counsel, read.

Francis Poku also denied owning any houses at Trasaaco Valley in Accra and said her daughter, Ms. Mary Poku, an attorney in the United Kingdom has previously addressed those allegations. Indeed Ms Poku has previously told The Ghanaian Chronicle newspaper in an interview also published by Myjoyonline, that she owned the only building at the said location.

Francis Poku said he is committed to democratic processes and wished all the presidential candidates in the December elections all the best.

He also urged Myjoyonline to focus on "the challenges that confront our Country in an election year and with the discovery of oil and gas resources."

Editor's Note: Indeed, Myjoyonline regrets parts of the publication complained of, which suggested rather wildly what may have occurred at the meeting between the former Security Minister and President Kufuor at the latter's residence.

Myjoyonline apologizes unreservedly to Mr. Francis Poku for any harm he may have suffered as a result of the said publication.

See below the unedited rejoinder by the former National Security Minister.

Francis Poku's Rejoinder

President J.A. Kufuor

Dear Sir,

RE: GOVERNMENT HAS NO CLUES TO SECURITY CAPO'S EXIT

We act as solicitors for Mr. Francis Poku and write on his instructions.

Our attention has been drawn to the above titled publication which has been on your website in the last couple of days.

Your publication reported on the proceedings in the Parliament of Ghana on Wednesday, the 5th of November 2008, regarding a question posed by Hon. John Mahama, the MP for Bole Bamboi to the Minister for Presidential Affairs and the answer provided by the Minister. The question related to the circumstances surrounding the deployment of armed personnel to the residence of our client (while he served as the Minister for National Security) in January 2008 and his subsequent departure from the country soon thereafter.

Your publication proceeded to speculate on some events at the residence of the President immediately preceding the removal of our client as Minister. The said speculations sought to impute lack of professionalism, dishonesty and corruption on the part of our client.

As you are well aware, these statements are absolutely untrue, and were calculated to tarnish the image of our client. The said statements have caused our client much distress and embarrassment and affected his standing and opportunities amongst his professional and business colleagues.

We have our client's instructions to request that you execute the following forthwith: 1. To expunge from your website (and from all other media of communication where you may have published them) all of the material complained of. 2. To make an unqualified apology to our client for the false and malicious statements made against him and to publish same (as well as this letter) through the same media of communication and with the same prominence as was given to the false and malicious statements. 3. To, in particular, carry the apology (as well as this letter) in the Daily Graphic and on primetime news on your sister network JOY 99.7 FM. 4. To desist from publishing any further false and malicious statements against our client.

Our client wishes to clarify that the meeting between himself and the President of the Republic of Ghana prior to his removal as Minister for National Security, was completely devoid of any accusations relating to his professional conduct, his integrity, or any acts of impropriety or dishonesty. Our client discussed matters of policy with the President at that meeting. The President thought it fit to relieve him of his post, after thanking him for his services rendered to the Republic of Ghana. At no time during this meeting did our client show any disrespect to the President.

Our client further wishes for us to communicate to you and the Ghanaian public that he does not own any houses in Trasaaco Valley and that allegations relating to his ownership of landed property in Trasaaco Valley in Ghana have previously been addressed by his daughter, Ms. Mary Poku, an attorney in the United Kingdom.

Finally, our client wishes to reassure Ghanaians of his commitment to democratic processes, and whilst wishing all the Presidential Candidates all the best, advise your outfit to focus on the challenges that confront our Country in an election year and with the discovery of oil and gas resources.

If our demands, as outlined above, are not execute within seven (7) days, we will be constrained to commence legal proceedings against you for the purpose of compelling you to do same.

Be accordingly advised.

DR. RAYMOND A. ATUGUBA (Managing Partner)