Leave me in peace -ex-Minister

Mr. Francis Poku, 66, former National Security Minister, and his 37-year-old daughter, Ms. Mary Poku, have denied media reports that President John Agyekum Kufuor?s decision to dismiss the security capo was over a string of houses he (Poku) allegedly owned at Trassaco Valley at Adjirigano near Accra.

Describing the publications as a deliberate ploy to slander him, the former minister and his daughter requested that he be left in peace to enjoy his quiet retirement from government.

Mr. Poku told DAILY GUIDE in an exclusive interview yesterday that contrary to a newspaper publication, nowhere in his Saturday morning interaction with the President did the issue of property ownership crop up, and expressed dismay at the quotations attributed to him by the publication.

?I want to assure everyone that I believe in the government I served for 7 years, and it would be unfortunate for anyone to wish to slander me after this service,? he said, adding that he had already prepared his handing-over notes, which he was leaving behind as duly required.

He said it would be malicious for anyone to suggest that he owed a string of houses and noted that soon after it was announced that he had been relieved of his post several text messages started flying with various allegations.

The former minister?s daughter, for her part, frowned that a property she owned at Trassaco Valley, an up-market residential area had become an issue for which her father was being vilified.

Mary Poku, a lawyer with 9-12 Bell Yard Chambers in London, told DAILY GUIDE yesterday that she had acquired a property at Trassaco Valley, which she bought for $322,000.

She said being a barrister since 1993, she received a gross earning of nearly ?90,000, with which she bought the house on installment basis.

According to her, she paid her first deposit in 2001 and eventually collected a deed of ownership in 2002 and had since paid by installments.

She expressed shock that the issue of her property was mentioned in the news report in connection with her father?s dismissal from government.

Mary, who is married to a British lecturer at the University of London, said she would not want her father maligned on account of her, explaining that she was a well-to-do lawyer, and would want to be seen as such.

The summary dismissal of Poku hit the airwaves on Saturday, following a release from the Office of the President.

?His Excellency the President has relieved the Hon Minister of National Security, Mr. Francis Poku of his duties with effect from today, January 12, 2008?, said the statement signed by Ambassador D.K. Osei, Secretary to the President.

No reason was assigned for the sudden removal of the security capo, who is known to be very quiet, unassuming and soft-spoken, but DAILY GUIDE learnt that the President has temporarily assumed responsibility for the ministry.

The President expressed his gratitude to Mr. Poku for his immense contribution to the stability and development of the country within the last seven years, adding that he wished the ex-security chief well in all his future endeavours.

Observers are of the view that the dismissal of the security chief may be the prelude to an impending shake-up in the Kufuor government.

Mr. Poku, meanwhile wished the President and the good people of Ghana the best of luck.