Pratt does not Speak for Gov't- Ablakwa

A Deputy Minister of Information Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has stridently denied grapevine reports that Managing Editor of the Insight newspaper, Kwesi Pratt Jnr., speaks for the government.

The deputy minister also denied that Mr Pratt is on the payroll of the government.

Quite recently, the newspaper editor had a run-in with the Communications Director of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Akomea, where the latter accused the former of being a government spokesperson.

Okudzeto Ablakwa, who was speaking on a public forum in Tamale, pointed out that the seasoned journalist has always stood for what he believes in.

The aspiring Member of Parliament for North Tongu Constituency in the Volta Region described the report as “so absurd” that it must be treated with the contempt it deserves.

“He was on Metro TV before the NDC won power; at that time was he representing the government of the NDC? He has not left the CPP and all of these are attempts to demonize him,” he said.

The deputy information minister also responded to allegations that the ruling party, the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has a pay list for members of its communication team.

According to him, members of the communication team provide their services voluntarily.

“I have been delegated by my boss to chair the government’s communication team and I can tell you authoritatively that there is no pay list… It is sacrificial. There is no salary or allowance to it,” he explained.