...Government rebuffs NDC?s accusations

Commenting on reports of the arrest of some alleged coup plotters over the weekend, Communication Director of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Mahama told the local radio station, JoyFM, that the story could be a hoax because there have been such reports before which turned out to be false.

The NDC says the party would not support any attempt to distabilise the country.

The party says it is close to winning the December polls as such it sees the alarm raised by the Police as an attempt be the government to divert attention from the issues at stake.

He said the report could be one of the NPP ploys to put fear into the electorates before the December election.

Mr Mahama assured the public that the NDC would rather prefer to educate its members to remove the NPP government with their thumbs than with the gun.

Some members of the opposition NDC expressed skepticism about the plot to GhanaHomePage before six of the 7 suspects were released yesterday.

"They [Government] are playing the '[Osama] Bin Laden Card' - simply trying to scare the people. Remember they once tried to fabricate a coup" said a member of the opposition NDC, who wanted to remain anonymous

?Karl Rove [President Bush?s campaign manager] will be proud of Kufuor?s campaign team,? said another member of an opposition party in a telephone interview. When pressed to elaborate he said ?Go Figure?

A member of Professor Atta Mills? campaign team, Elvis Afriyie Ankrah dismissed the news of the arrests, as a very familiar diversionary tactics used by the government whenever it comes under pressure. Speaking to the Public Agenda in a telephone interview on Saturday, Afriyie Ankrah expressed regret that, the Police have time and again allowed themselves to be manipulated, and used to harass political opponents, stressing that, the latest arrests could be nothing short of the old tricks.

The frequent news of coup plots and arrests, have often been described by civil society groups, and representatives of the business community in Ghana, as a major draw-back in the country?s efforts at attracting foreign direct investment.

?If we continue crying wolf when we see a fly, the day the wolf will come, it might take us unaware.? Said a reporter, who was following the news at the Police Headquarters on Saturday.

But the government has rebuffed the NDC?s accusations saying it is unfortunate.

Minister of Information, Nana Akomea, says it is difficult to apprehend why anyone would nurture a thought that the government is rather putting fear in people.

?We are protecting the people so why would we want to put fear in them by making false announcements? The Police are doing their job and they have come up with this after thorough investigations, how do you accuse us then?, he said.

Nana Akomea said they would not be distracted from the course of ensuring that no one takes the peace and stability of the country for granted.