Organisers of Miss Ghana accused of forgery

The ministry of Tourism and Modernization of the capital city says it takes strong exception to a message attributed to the sector minister by organizers of the LG Miss Ghana 2005, Sparrow Productions, published in a brochure for the event.

It said that even though the minister, Jake Obetsebi Lamptey, declined to provide a message for the event, one was ?forged? and attributed to him in the brochure.

Special Assistant to the Minister, Ferdinand Ayim said the minister did not give a message because the ministry was not happy of the way the event was organized.

He was answering questions about a disclaimer the ministry issued on Monday against the attribution of a message to the minister in the event?s brochure.

?The minister did not send any such message to organizers of the event and it is shocked to find the use of the statement purported to have emanated from him, complete with his photograph? said the disclaimer. And said that messages from the minister were not given for events as a matter of course.

They are based on a number of factors, principally the character of event, it organizers and the ministry?s desire to associate with it,? the disclaimer said.

It cautioned that any repetition of that act by any organization would be treated for what it is and dealt with accordingly.

In the mean time the minister ? demands an unqualified apology from the organizers for their action,? it said.

Mr Ayim said the ministry distanced itself from the event because its organization was shrouded in controversy and that the vent should have been held in September.

He also said the event did not have elements necessary for tourism attraction.

Asked whether the minister?s misgivings were made known to the organizers, he said, ? If the minister declines to provide a message then you should know there is a problem with your programme.?

A director of Sparrow productions Akosua Owusu accepted responsibility for the publication of the message.

She explained that the message used was one the minister gave earlier at he launch of the event this year.