Accra, Sept 10 The First Lady, Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings, today denied at a circuit court that she dealt in narcotic drugs and smuggled gold outside the country in 1994.

Giving evidence at the on-going trial of Eben Quarcoo, former editor of the "Free Press", charged with criminal libel for publishing in the December 30, 1994 to January 5, 1995 issue of the paper that the first lady dealt in cocaine and smuggled gold on unannounced trips outside the country.

Led in evidence by Mr Martin Amidu, Deputy Attorney-General, Nana Konadu said there have been several similar publications by the paper which sought to discredit her

She said she, therefore, could no longer bear this allegation and had to report to the police. She described the publication as a calculated attempt by the paper to discredit not only herself but her husband as well as the country.

Nana Konadu said her sympathisers called to tell her about the publication, after which she bought a copy to read herself. She said she found the publication "very embarrassing and damaging". She therefore reported the matter to the Police.

Cross-examined by Mr Akoto Ampaw, attorney for Quarcoo, witness said the 31st December Women's Movement, of which she is the president, is a non-governmental organisation dedicated to the total emancipation of Ghanaian women

The movement seeks to organise women socially, culturally, financially and politically to break the cycle of poverty and raise their standard of living, she said

She denied a suggestion by counsel that the movement is a political organisation affiliated to the National Democratic Congress (NDC). Nana Konadu said even though she is a member of the NDC, she did not agree to counsel's suggestion that the policies, principles and practices of the AFRC and 31st December Revolution, which ushered in the PNDC, were carried over to the Fourth Republic.

When she was asked to explain the "doctrine of continuity", Nana Konadu said her understanding of the doctrine is the pursuit of a good programme of human develoment, which must not be left mid-way. Cross-examination continues on September 16.