General News of Monday, 15 August 2005

Source: JoyOnline

Gizelle Arrives On Thursday

Gizelle Yajzi, the former American-Iraqi former Presidential advisor at the centre of the ?Hotel Kufuor? controversy has postponed her trip to Ghana to Thursday.

No reasons have been assigned yet for the postponement of the trip.

JOYNews sources in the United States however, say Madam Yajzi has already set off to Ghana.

The sources say she is in London now and will make the trip to Ghana on Thursday.

Madam Yajzi says she is coming to testify before the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) on what she knows about President Kufuor?s role in his son?s acquisition of a hotel complex near his (President Kufuor?s) private residence.

Madam Yajzi claims President Kufuor is the real owner of the hotel and not his son because the President personally asked her to negotiate the purchasing deal for him.

Ms. Yajzi had earlier said her visa had been cancelled but later investigations indicated that she has a two-year visa valid until the 21st of this month. Thus, she has a little under a week to substantiate her allegations against the first family.

Two groups are at war already over her coming to Ghana.

Whilst Friends of the Truth have declared their intentions to facilitate her coming, Enemies of Liars say they cannot allow Ms. Yajzi to come to Ghana and bring the President?s name into disrepute.

Friends of the Truth?s chairman, Alhaji Bature says his group will pick Ms. Yajzi up from the Kotoka International Airport and organise a series of media encounters for her.

He said his association will also facilitate her appearance before and make sure she is able to give all the necessary evidence on the matter to CHRAJ.

But the second group, Enemies of Lies believed to be sympathisers of the ruling New Patriotic Party intends to counter demonstrate against her arrival in the country.

This group has vowed to do whatever it takes to make sure she utters no defamatory statements against the presidency.

The Police administration has called on the two groups to exercise restrain.

A source at the Police Service told the pro-government newspaper, the Statesman that the Police administration is considering offering Ms Yajzi full protection throughout the period her visa remains valid.