Mahama denies making statement

Dr Edward Mahama, the leader of the Peoples? National Convention (PNC) has denied ever making any statement to the effect that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has armed its agents with AK 47 rifles to cause mayhem during the recently-held by-election in Navrongo Central.

According to a statement issued by the Police Administration, Dr Mahama denied the statement when he was invited to the Police Headquarters to help the police ascertain the facts in the statement attributed to him in a publication by The Evening News on Monday, March 24, 2003.

Dr Mahama told the police, according to the statement, that it was one of his supporters who telephoned from Navrongo to inform him that an NPP supporter had indicated that ?if they do not win the by-election, he will use an AK 47 rifle to cause mayhem?.

The PNC leader said he only advised the caller to report the matter to the police and expressed surprise at the publication, adding that ?it was the reporters who misrepresented him?.

According to the statement, Dr Mahama assured the IGP that he will always preach peace and impress upon his supporters to remain calm, even in the event of losing an election.

The statement said the Inspector-General of Police, Nana Owusu-Nsiah, used the occasion to urge politicians and the media to help ensure that their pronouncements do not disturb the peace in the country.

?Statements from politicians and the media wield enormous influence on their audience, hence the need for greater circumspection in order to avoid any rash actions by the public,? the IGP cautioned.