Kumasi, April 7, GNA-Miss Patricia Appiagyei, Deputy Ashanti Regional Minister, has denied ever-assaulting Hajia Gibiril, wife of the late Member of Parliament (MP) for Asawase, Dr Adamu A. Gibiril, as alleged on the airwaves by a Kumasi FM station.

A press release issued in Kumasi on Thursday by the Ashanti Regional Co-ordinating Council and signed by Mr E.Y. Kwarteng, the Regional Co-ordinating Director, described the news item carried by Luv Fm alleging that Miss Appiagyei assaulted Hajia Gibiril as a fabrication, which only sought to score cheap political points. It stressed, "The allegation in the said news item also smacks of mischievous intentions and should be ignored."

The release said contrary to what the news item tried to portray, it was rather Hajia Gibiril, "who let out a stream of invective words and cast insinuations on the Honourable Deputy Minister ostensibly to embarrass her and her entourage."

It made it clear that as a God-fearing woman, the Deputy Minister has respect for everybody irrespective of tribe, religion or political affiliation and would therefore not indulge in such unwarranted acts and behaviour to dent her respect and hard won reputation.

"She is such a person who will never do anything to prick the wounds of a widow who needs a lion's heart to overcome the pains of the loss of her late husband", the release added.

The release, however, gave the assurance that in spite of all the provocations, the Deputy Minister had still vowed to be open to all and contribute towards development of the region and focus on the actualisation of her vision to support the political hierarchy of the region.