Dan Botwe denies apologizing for HIPC

REJOINDER

Dear Editor,

Re: Dan Botwe Apologizes For Hipc

I refer to the story with the above-mentioned front-page headline published in the Chronicle of Monday, June 20th 2005, and wish to state the following:


I deny the publication completely. I wish to state that I never made any such statement anywhere during my visit to the Northern and Upper East regions. I was misquoted.


I rather emphasized the benefits that the HIPC initiative has brought to Ghanaians through the provision of schools, hospitals, water, roads and other social amenities.


I stated that all those who initially kicked against HIPC are now calling for more benefits.


Again, the proper use of the HIPC funds and the fact that the completion point was reached on record time has also contributed to the cancellation of debts by leaders of the G8. It also brought to the fore, the visionary leadership of President Kufuor.


Reading through the story, I can only say that the screaming headline of the Chronicle does not correspond to the contents.

I did say that the government has taken some painful but necessary decisions, such as the unavoidable increase in the price of petroleum products.


It is even unthinkable for the Minister of Information to apologise for a decision which is bringing debt relief to our dear country.


I am therefore requesting the Chronicle to give this rejoinder the same prominence as the publication of Monday, 20th June, 2005.


DANIEL BOTWE MINISTER OF INFORMATION


THE EDITOR THE CHRONICLE ACCRA


cc: The Chairman National Media Commission Accra