SMIDO not involved in politics

Kumasi, March. 27, GNA- The leadership of the Suame Magazine Industrial Development Organisation (SMIDO) has stated that, the organization has nothing to do with politics.

According to Mr George Asamoah Amankwaa, President of the Organisation, SMIDO is an NGO formed by the different associations of Suame magazine as a developmental unit to champion the development of the "magazine".

Addressing a press conference in Kumasi on Thursday in reaction to the negative propaganda about SMIDO and the personalities associated with it, alleged to be spearheaded by Nana Oppong Mensah, Chairman of the Garages Association of Suame Magazine.

Mr Amankwaa pointed out that, the Organisation was formed out of an advocacy action by the Business Sector Advocacy Challenge fund (BUSAC) support to artisans of Suame magazine in 2006. He said the Organisation had collaborated with the leadership of all political parties in the country in order to have a multi-party support for the endeavours of the organization so that any government in power would continue supporting SMIDO.

Mr Amankwaa condemned the political propaganda being peddled by some people in Suame magazine that the Member of Parliament (MP) for the area, Mr Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu had stalled the release of GH¢5 million promised by President Kuffuor to artisans in the country in 2004.

He said Mr Mensah Bonsu was not around when the President made the promise, neither had he been involved in the negotiation for its release, adding that, the allegations were a mere propaganda to malign the MP.

Mr Amankwaa, said Mr Mensah Bonsu had lent his support to the Organisation and mentioned Dr Akoto Osei, MP for old Tafo, Mr Alban Bagbin, Minority leader in parliament, Dr Kwame Addo Kuffuor MP for Manhyia and former Minister of Defence and Professor Kwabena Frimpong Boateng as some of the prominent politicians who had lent their support to the Organization.

He said it was unfortunate that, some people were trying to use nefarious propaganda to cause disaffection in the Organisation and warned that, the leadership would not allow such people to "poison the political atmosphere of Suame magazine with their negative, destructive and pull-him-down partisanship".

Mr Amankwaa appealed to the security agencies to investigate the activities of these people to help guard against such deceptive characters.