The Government has expressed concern over deliberate attempts to create a state of constant tension in the country through a systematic campaign of misinformation and disinformation by a section of the media.
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Reference is made to recent allegations of assassination threats to former President Rawlings, based allegedly on information obtained through the Internet. Government urges the public to treat this spurious fabrication with the contempt it deserves and rest assured that the government is deeply committed to protecting all citizens and providing a peaceful and secured environment for all to go about their lawful and legitimate activities. The Government has also taken note of attempts to undermine the success of the launching of the Foundation for Building the Capital of the Poor by His Excellency President J.A. Kufour with former U.S. President Bill Clinton as the Guest of Honour and the patron of the Foundation.
The government categorically denies the lie that it tried to frustrate a request from Mr Clinton’s office for Mr Clinton to meet Fl. Lt. Rawlings during his 2 day visit. The request was indeed made last Wednesday to Ghana’s Planning Committee, which only suggested that the proposed breakfast meeting be rescheduled to the afternoon, after the launching of the Foundation. It is also a complete falsehood to allege that Mr Clinton’s proposed trip to Kumasi was a ploy to prevent the requested meeting of the two former Presidents from taking place.
Indeed Mr Clinton’s visit to the Manhyia Palace was at the express request of the Clinton team, which initially insisted, it was “non-negotiable. This was apparently after Dr Hernando De Soto who visited the Palace in February this year, as part of his tour of Ghana, strongly recommended a call on the Asantehene to Mr Clinton. The proposed trip to the Manhyia Palace was called off due to time constraints, when it became clear that the former U.S. President could not leave Ghana for Nigeria from Kumasi as was planned. It must be noted that as far Mr Clinton’s visit was concerned, various options were explored to satisfy his request to meet and interact with the ordinary people.
These included trips to Awutu Bawjiase to visit cassava farms involved in the President’s Special Initiative, the Cocoa Processing Company at Tema to familiarize himself with the production of chocolates and cocoa products, and the Trade Fair grounds where AITECH, a local arts and crafts shop is located. In all the places mentioned, the traditional rulers were expected to play key roles. Time constraint and other considerations, however militated against these proposals.
The government wishes to reiterate its commitment to an open door policy for the free flow of information to the public and the Media especially. It therefore appeals to the Media to crosscheck all such misconceptions with government and refrain from the unfortunate practice of repeating falsehoods even when available facts belie them.
The Government has expressed concern over deliberate attempts to create a state of constant tension in the country through a systematic campaign of misinformation and disinformation by a section of the media.
Full Text
Reference is made to recent allegations of assassination threats to former President Rawlings, based allegedly on information obtained through the Internet. Government urges the public to treat this spurious fabrication with the contempt it deserves and rest assured that the government is deeply committed to protecting all citizens and providing a peaceful and secured environment for all to go about their lawful and legitimate activities. The Government has also taken note of attempts to undermine the success of the launching of the Foundation for Building the Capital of the Poor by His Excellency President J.A. Kufour with former U.S. President Bill Clinton as the Guest of Honour and the patron of the Foundation.
The government categorically denies the lie that it tried to frustrate a request from Mr Clinton’s office for Mr Clinton to meet Fl. Lt. Rawlings during his 2 day visit. The request was indeed made last Wednesday to Ghana’s Planning Committee, which only suggested that the proposed breakfast meeting be rescheduled to the afternoon, after the launching of the Foundation. It is also a complete falsehood to allege that Mr Clinton’s proposed trip to Kumasi was a ploy to prevent the requested meeting of the two former Presidents from taking place.
Indeed Mr Clinton’s visit to the Manhyia Palace was at the express request of the Clinton team, which initially insisted, it was “non-negotiable. This was apparently after Dr Hernando De Soto who visited the Palace in February this year, as part of his tour of Ghana, strongly recommended a call on the Asantehene to Mr Clinton. The proposed trip to the Manhyia Palace was called off due to time constraints, when it became clear that the former U.S. President could not leave Ghana for Nigeria from Kumasi as was planned. It must be noted that as far Mr Clinton’s visit was concerned, various options were explored to satisfy his request to meet and interact with the ordinary people.
These included trips to Awutu Bawjiase to visit cassava farms involved in the President’s Special Initiative, the Cocoa Processing Company at Tema to familiarize himself with the production of chocolates and cocoa products, and the Trade Fair grounds where AITECH, a local arts and crafts shop is located. In all the places mentioned, the traditional rulers were expected to play key roles. Time constraint and other considerations, however militated against these proposals.
The government wishes to reiterate its commitment to an open door policy for the free flow of information to the public and the Media especially. It therefore appeals to the Media to crosscheck all such misconceptions with government and refrain from the unfortunate practice of repeating falsehoods even when available facts belie them.
