I don't open my mouth by-heart -Poku

The immediate past National Security Minister, Mr. Francis Poku, has denied media reports that he has broken his studied silence and attacked President John Agyekum Kufuor and the NPP administration.

Speaking to the Managing Editor of the GYE NYAME CONCORD from London, UK, yesterday, Mr. Poku said he feels very distressed and embarrassed that various newspapers in Ghana consistently credit him with statements he has not made in various publications.

“I find it distressing. I feel very embarrassed when things I haven’t said are consistently credited to me by people I don’t know or have not spoken to” he told this reporter.

Mr. Poku was reacting to questions on various reports that he had attacked the Kufuor administration over a number of issues.

The former National Security Minister said it was out of his character and style to indulge in easy speak and that though he was worried over the consistent attacks on his person in Ghana, he has found it necessary to remain silent and not respond to them.

The latest news story which reported him as having attacked the Kufuor administration appeared yesterday in the THE NEW PUNCH newspaper.

THE NEW PUNCH report credited Mr. Poku with an attack on President Kufuor and the NPP administration in “an elusive publication titled AFRICAN ALERT.”

The report also quoted Mr. Poku as having confessed that he did not leave Ghana peacefully.

THE NEW PUNCH, which described the supposed AFRICAN ALERT publication it reportedly culled the story from, as an ‘elusive four- page flyer,’ said the report cited Mr. Poku as having stated that he fell out with the Kufuor administration because of his strong approach to drug trafficking.

But Mr. Poku in response to queries by this paper yesterday said he has no idea of any publication known as AFRICAN ALERT.

He insisted that he has equally not granted any interview in which he said the things attributed to him and that it was unthinkable that he would even say such things when the policies and efforts of the Kufuor administration against drug trafficking have been appreciated by Ghana’s partners in the fight against drugs.

He said though Ghana, like other West African nations, is struggling with how to effectively stamp out the illicit drug trade, the Ghana government has shown its resolve to fight the menace.

He asked the media to rest various speculations as to why he left office, saying they are highly unnecessary.

“There has been an official statement in which the President thanked me for working with him. So far as I know, he never discussed issues of corruption, purchases of houses and the other things I’ve heard people and newspapers speculate on, with me.

“Since my exit from office, there have been these various versions and speculations on a matter that I think should end. I’ve been thanked for my job. So far as I know, the President has not questioned me on any of these alleged issues. He has no problem with me and I have none with him,” he said, adding that people should be interested in leaving former national security bosses to enjoy their quiet.

He said the attempts to draw him into speaking on issues should stop because it won’t serve any useful national purpose.

Mr. Poku said he would like to follow the examples of previous national security capos and stay out of the political fray in the interest of the state.