General News of Thursday, 1 November 2018

Source: peacefmonline.com

NDC statement on Akufo-Addo: 'Infantile nonsense; weak & wicked minds' at work - Baako

Abdul Malik Kweku Baako, Editor-in-Chief of the New Crusading Guide Abdul Malik Kweku Baako, Editor-in-Chief of the New Crusading Guide

Editor-in-Chief of the New Crusading Guide, Abdul Malik Kweku Baako says the call by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) for President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to be investigated regarding the bribery scandal involving Kwesi Nyantakyi is an "infantile nonsense".

According to him, the statement was issued by some "weak and wicked minds" of the NDC.

The NDC, in a statement signed by their National Organizer Kofi Adams, asked the President to "open himself up for transparent and credible investigations by an independent body" to clear his name in the bribery scandal unearthed in the 'Number 12' exposé undertaken by Anas Aremeyaw Anas.

The party is also asking the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Police Service to inform Ghanaians about the status of their investigations into the scandal.

"The National Democratic Congress has taken note of FIFA’s lifetime ban imposed on Mr. Kwesi Nyantakyi, the former President of the Ghana Football Association and a close confidant of President Akuffo-Addo...FIFA's decision to ban Mr. Nyantakyi after months of rigorous investigations raises serious questions about the involvement of President Akuffo-Addo in the bribery scandal; and also brings to the fore, once again, the need for the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) to inform Ghanaians about the status of their investigations into this scandal which has tarnished the image of Ghanaians and Ghana," portions of the statement read.

"We urge President Akufo-Addo to open himself up for transparent and credible investigations by an independent body to clear his name in the said matter," the NDC demanded.

But contributing to a panel discussion on Peace FM's "Kokrokoo", Kweku Baako questioned the logic in the NDC's demand saying "to give the impression that what was there implicated the President in corruption is absolute nonsense…It’s crude and unenlightened”.

“...It is annoying. This is opportunism of the highest order; no basis...This is crass opportunism. It distorts the debate and the discourse but that is it. So predictable; weak minds and wicked minds! It doesn’t make sense…It’s pathetic”, he further said.

Mr. Baako urged the NDC to be serious and stop their "infantile nonsense, crude and cheap politics".

"He should open himself to what thing; an independent body? Who sets up that independent body? When the President’s name was mentioned, what did he do? Did he not call the CID to investigate? Are the CID not investigating? What else? Any person who feels the CID is inadequate to do anything…you have other options. Kofi Adams and his NDC can go to CHRAJ...What he (Nyantakyi) was doing was peddling influence using the name of the President and the Vice President, and others. That path the President says CID, take over and investigate it. What else do you want the President to do?" he asked.