A former Minister of Defence Dr Benjamin Kunbuor has rubbished reports he is conspiring with ex-president Rawlings and other leading members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to form a breakaway party.
Describing the stories as vicious, Dr. Kunbuor said “there is a hidden agenda” to smear him ahead of the election of the flagbearer of the largest opposition party.
He has given originators of the story a seven-day ultimatum to retract the story.
Below is the full unedited statement of Dr. Kunbuor:
PRESS STATEMENT BY DR. BENJAMIN KUNBUOR
RE: “EXCLUSIVE: RAWLINGS INSTIGATES BEN KUNBUOR, ALHAJI PMC, NUAMAH DONKOR AND OTHERS TO FORM A NEW PARTY”
21st January, 2019
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN OF THE MEDIA
My attention has been drawn to a news item trending on social media, dated 21st January, 2019 and attributed to ghananewsonline. The said news item conveyed malicious, fabricated and vicious attributes to me; as conspiring with other leading members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to form a new political party. The viciousness of the said publication lies in the fabrication that this is being done at the instigation of Former President Jerry John Rawlings with the connivance of leading New Patriotic Party members as well as President Akuffo-Addo. It alleged further that I have been part of a series of meetings which is conspiring against my own party the NDC. Curiously, it alludes to two situations that are quite revealing and can point even the uninitiated towards the dark and ugly allies as the source of such a publication.
Firstly, it links this news item to an earlier equally vicious publication in the social media attributed to kasapafmonline. When it did not get the underserved response from me, it was passed onto the ghanaweb as well as on other rather too willing political platforms on social media. What was interesting about this first publication is that it could not even spell my name correctly which gives me other leads. It is particular political interest groups who have always spelt my sir name with an ‘m’. In addition, it blocked the comments link to prevent persons who watched my program on UTV from correcting their fabrication.
Second, even though NDC is yet to go to congress to elect its Flagbearer, the authors of the publication in their indecent haste, allege that I together with others are forming a new party to ensure that Former President John Dramani Mahama, who will give Nana Akuffo-Addo (an assumed NPP Flagbearer) a strong competition, to prevent him from winning the 2020 elections.
Under normal conditions, as I usually do, I would have ignored this publication as one of those coming from little minds that have just learnt a little grammar and want the whole world to know they can write English. But given the context, timing and sequence of the publication it is important that I correct the malice and hidden agenda from such a faceless cowardly group. I will therefore like to state the following:
(a) That I am one of the people that have a lot of respect for journalist. Indeed I share the view that journalism is not a crime. There are very many dignified journalist in Ghana and I respect them. However, I am sorry to say this piece trending on social media is not representative of the aspirations of the profession
(b) I have no intention and have never had one to be part of the formation of a new political party. I am satisfied with my membership of the NDC and in the foreseeable future intend to continue to be a loyal member of it- all things being equal.
(c) I have never attended any meeting as alleged in the publication with any of the personalities mentioned; let alone one that is seeking to form a political party against my party the NDC.
(d) I am equally not aware or a recipient of any Landcruisser or Pickup vehicles. I do not belong to that bracket; the publishers should look for a more suitable person who fits their baseless allegations.
(e) Let me use this opportunity to assure the rank and file of the NDC that I am unaware and not part of any schemes to form a new political against the NDC.
(f) I will also want to advise a number of the social media addicts, who either consciously or unconsciously make themselves conveyer belts for such vicious publications by republishing and circulating them on other social media platforms to be guided
(g) I will like to add that if the authors of this publication have any political trepidation about me they should go to rest; I am not standing in their way in whatever contexts.
I am very much occupied with important projects about the future of this country that I believe can contribute to improving the human condition of our people. I believe this country has a future and we should all use our energies to realise it. If such publication is intended to use me as political sport or for entertainment, I am sorry I am unavailable for such a game as I do not play other peoples games.
I am therefore requesting those behind the ghananewsonline to take down from their platform the said publication. They have seven (7) days to do that; otherwise I will take all the necessary legal steps to protect my reputation as a member of the NDC.
Thank You.
(Signed)
Dr. Benjamin Kunbuor
Source: Ghana/Starrfmonline.com/103.5FM
