Okudjeto Lies Again

On Saturday, 2nd July, 2011, a Deputy Information Minister, Samuel Okudjeto Ablakwa creted the impression that never in the 8 years rule of the Kufour led NPP government that drugs were destroyed. He made this passionate lie when he sought to divert the attention of Ghanaians to the loose statements made by “Crazy” Akrasi, the NACOB Boss.

“Crazy” Akrasi has been the toast of many social commentators for his unguarded statements that they [NACOB] have pieces of information indicating that some politicians will be using monies from the drug trade to finance their campaigns. Though he suggested he was going after drug-money politicians irrespective of their political party, his open admission that he was a member of the ruling party suggested he was referring to politicians in other parties other than his own. Another reason many believed his objective was to muddy the political environment is the fact that his political party is currently in turmoil. The party and government have received negative media attention, hence to divert peoples mind he made those statements to take the focus off his party’s internal crisis and dooms day.

This issue was placed on board for discussions by panelist on the pro-government political program, Alhaji n Alhaji hosted by Alhassan Suhuyini. In the course of the discussion, the deputy minister of information, Samuel Okudjeto Ablakwa suggested that during the Kufour led 8 year rule, drugs seized were not destroyed. He made this statement to create the impression seized drugs were used for some questionable purposes.

Having the believe that drugs were destroyed by NACOB as late as 2008, I decided to do some research to confirm my belief. It was not a difficult task to get credible news reports of destroyed drugs by NACOB officials. I wonder why the minister couldn’t have checked his facts with all the “small boys” at his ministry and the information facilities at his disposal.

According to a Ghana News Agency report on June 10, 2008, “The Greater Accra Regional Tribunal on Tuesday destroyed 41 kilograms of cocaine put into 60 cans of Nkulenu Palm Soup.The drug was seized at Aviance Cargo Section of the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) on September 22, last year (2007).” Indeed this action was taken with the full involvement of NACOB officials. The report further states that “the destruction, supervised by officials of the Narcotics Control Board and court officials took place at the premises of the tribunal. This is the second largest consignment destroyed by the tribunal. Last week the tribunal destroyed 59 kilograms of cocaine seized at the Duty Free Shop of KIA after they had been tendered in evidence. The 60 cans of the Nkuleneu Palm Soup were intercepted at Aviance Cargo Section, KIA when they were brought with tubers of yams to be exported to the United Kingdom.”

Another GNA report on February 2, 2008 states that “An Accra Fast Track High Court on Friday ordered the destruction of 60 kilogrammes of cocaine concealed in cans labelled Ghana Fresh palm nut intercepted at the Aviance Cargo Village in October last year. This was after Detective Sergeant Joseph Akwei, Bureau of National Investigations and the sixth prosecution witness testified and tendered the 60 tins of cocaine with the street value of three million dollars in evidence.”. The report also states that “The court, presided over by Mr. Justice K. A Acquaye obliged and ordered that the destruction be supervised by an official of the Judicial Service, officials from the Narcotic Control Board (NACOB), Ghana Standard Board (GSB), Environmental Protection Agency and the media at the Independence Square.”

It is clear the deputy minister was peddling falsehood on Radio Gold last Saturday, 2nd July,2011. Ghanaians have not forgotten the invisible 1.6 million jobs this same minister told us the government has created in 6 months. There are many reports of destruction of seized drugs in the 8 year rule of the NPP, I will advise the deputy minister to some research on it.

The issue about drugs should be political but not partisan. We need political will to fight the drug trade. To label any one party as people who dabble in drugs or benefit from the drug trade is a wrong foot to fight the global war. Political parties are made up of individuals from diverse backgrounds. Every political party has a mixed bag of good and bad people in our society. Political parties must show true commitment to fight against social vices irrespective of who is involved. There have been many cases of crime perpetuated by members of one political party or the other. It is not fair to the sensibilities of Ghanaians, for one political party to tag the other of a particular crime just to score cheap and unsustainable political points.

Patriot Faisal Ibrahim

Mobile_faisal@hotmail.com