Herbert Mensah ready to release GHC 90 million security tape

Former Chief Executive Officer of Asante Kotoko, Herbert Mensah says he is ready to release the security tape on which he alleges President Mills’ campaign team planned to use GHC 90 million for his flagbearership bid.

In an off air interview on Friday, Mr. Mensah said he will give the team of Adom FM’s morning show, Dwaso Nsem, the opportunity to listen to the two-hour security tape which he and former President Rawlings had access to from the Castle.

There is a catch however; he will let the team be privy to only a 9-minute discussion on the GHC 90 million campaign budget which they can play back to listeners on Dwaso Nsem on Monday, May 16.

The exact day, location and time were not disclosed due to the sensitive nature of the matter.

On Tuesday May 10, Herbert Mensah, a strong supporter of the Rawlingses, alleged that he and former President Jerry Rawlings had discovered from security tapes they got from the Castle that President Mills’ campaign team planned to use about GHC90 million to fuel his campaign for flag bearer of the NDC.

He was however not willing to go into details on the matter such as where the funds will be coming from, stating that at the appropriate time, they will come out with the full details.

That allegation has generated so much controversy with government officials and NDC officials all speaking on the matter and flatly denying the story.

Even President Mills in an interview with Asempa FM denied the allegation and called on National Security to immediately investigate the matter.

The President laughingly said if he had access to such funds, he would have used it to complete the various road construction projects ongoing in the country.

The National Security Advisor, Brigadier General Nunoo Mensah has also hinted he will invite Herbert Mensah for questioning over the allegations.

Mr. Mensah himself has not been spared as he has been thoroughly bashed by NDC supporters and government officials who have called him all kinds of name from being a liar to being an enemy of the Rawlingses who wants to bring the NDC down.

Speaking on the release of the tapes on Dwaso Nsem on Friday, Major (Rtd) Boakye Gyan said Adom FM will do its listeners and the whole country a disservice if they refuse to go and listen to the tape.
He explained that the alleged security tape is of national interest which should not be hidden.

The former Journalist and security expert however cautioned that the appropriate background checks be made to verify the voices on that tape to ensure that it is genuine before it is released for public consumption.

Story: Samuel Mantey/ Adom News/Ghana

President Mills is Ghana’s most decent politician – Ato Forson

Inspite of the concerns by some Ghanaians over the manner in which politics is conducted in the country, Member of Parliament for Ajumako-Enyan-Esiam Mr Cassel Ato Forson has said that there are still some decent personalities in Ghanaian Politics today.

Mr. Forson rubbished speculations that politicians are the most corrupt people on earth, stating that President Mills is one of the few decent politicians the country has ever produced.

The MP stressed that there was no way President Mills could use GHS 90 million to campaign for his election for the flagbearership slot alone, at the expense of other challenging assignments in the country.

Speaking to Adakabre Frimpong Manso on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem on Thursday, Mr. Forson who is the youngest Parliamentarian in the Legislature noted that, the President is on course in his Better Ghana Agenda projects.

The Central Regional Coordinator of Get Atta Mills Endorsed (GAME) is confident President Mills will get the nod to lead the NDC once more when congress is over.

Responding to a question as to how President Mills is funding his campaign, Mr Cassel Ato Forson disclosed that members of GAME have voluntarily decided to assist the President in cash or any other means.

Mr Ato Forson said the delegates have already accepted and voted for the President in advance by helping to fuel cars and providing shelter for the campaign team.

He said President Mills does not need GHS 90 million to lure delegates who have already endorsed him to continue his Better Ghana agenda.

Mr Ato Forson stated that those behind the allegation only want to tarnish the good image and reputation of the President.

He emphasized that the team is not using state funds to run the campaign but depend on little contributions made by donors and supporters.

Story by Samuel Mantey/Adom News/Ghana

Kofi Jumah urges Prez Mills to pull out of NDC flag bearer race

He said the NPP hijacked the airwaves, both radio and TV the whole day when they were electing their flag bearer.
He also criticized the NPP for using state funds to orchestrate their campaign in 2008 and turning around to accuse President Mills of doing the same.

He described Communications Director of the NPP, Nana Akomea, as a disgrace to the youth because he does not exhibit the true virtues of a youth leader but rather issues uninformed statement on behalf of the NPP.

Yaw Boateng Gyan noted that President Mills is not interested in using state money to fuel his campaign.

Story: Samuel Mantey/ Adom News/Ghana

We are not prepared to be anybody’s running mate – Josiah Aryeh

A leading member of Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings’ campaign team, Dr Josiah Aryeh has denied speculations that the former First Lady is likely to stand by and become the running mate for Dr Ekwow Spio-Garbrah.

Dr Aryeh emphatically stated on Dwaso Nsem on Adom FM Wednesday that Nana Konadu “is not prepared to be anybody’s running mate.”

According to the former General Secretary of the NDC, the Konadu camp is not afraid of competition for the flagbearership race of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

Dr. Aryeh added that they don’t believe in coalitions because “coalitions muddy the waters of competition and we should not be afraid of competition.”

He welcomed Dr Spio-Garbrah’s decision to contest saying that now that the race is now a three tier they must prepare for a good race.

Commenting on whether they are threatened by the crowd that cheered on President Mills last Thursday when he went to pick his nomination forms, Dr Aryeh said the President could have challenged Nana Konadu’s campaign by substance and not merely by the large number of people who were to support him.

He said the NDC delegates are more discerning now and will vote for the right candidate as the leader of the party.

Dr Aryeh further stated that given a level playing ground Mrs. Rawlings will easily win the elections.

Story: Samuel Mantey/ Adom News/ Ghana

NPP BLAST PRESIDENT MILLS FOR SHOW OF POWER

The NPP has blasted President Mills for the show of power when he picked nomination forms last Thursday.
The party noted that thousands of NDC supporters and over 60 Mass Transport buses were mobilized to take over the streets of Accra for hours on that day.
The Communication Director of NPP, Nana Akomea says the public broadcaster Ghana Television was also hijacked for hours at a reported cost of GH C 18,000 (C180 million).
He says thousands of innocent residents of Accra were held in heavy traffic under the scorching sun for hours and prevented from going about their normal business and social activities.
Nana Akomea says this is not the first time Professor Mills had picked nomination forms so it was strange how this one came with all the euphoria.