Botchwey Denies Involvement In Quality Grain Affair

A former Finance Minister, Dr Kwesi Botchwey who is campaigning to be elected the presidential candidate of the NDC for the 2004 general elections, has debunked rumours that the government is preparing a docket to prosecute him at the Fast Track High Court for his alleged involvement in the Quality Grain case.

He said the rumours are part of lies and smear propaganda being peddled by his opponents. According to him, ?The rumours are that he would be arraigned before the court if he wins the party's nomination?. Dr Botchwey was answering a question from a delegate during a meeting with representatives from 10 constituencies in the Ashanti Region as part of his two-day campaign tour of the region. Dr Botchwey said he was not in government when the agreement on the quality grain was signed and wondered how he would be prosecuted for crimes he had not committed.

He said "I was even outside the country when the agreement was signed. I will not be intimidated by lies from my opponents to abandon quest to seek the NDC nomination.'' He said it is unfortunate that his opponents are not tackling issues affecting the party but have rather resorted to smear media propaganda to attack his personality. Dr Botchwey said his decision to contest the post should not be taken as bringing division into the party. He pointed out that, ''There is the need to introduce internal democracy into the party to enable grass root participation in the decision making process of the party.''

He said when voted to lead the party he would ensure greater grass root participation in decision-making, transparency in the finances of the party and encourage the youth and women to take greater responsibilities in the party. Dr Botchwey said the party requires a person with "the heart of a lion" to lead it to wrestle power from the NPP government. He said he would continue to be a member of the party even if he fails to win the elections and urged the people to avoid divisive tendencies and unite to ensure victory for the party in the 2004 elections. The former Deputy Ashanti Region Minister, Mrs Joana Appiah-Dwomoh who also expressed concern about the type of campaign being employed in the run up to the delegates congress and called for unity among party members.