General News of Monday, 31 October 2016

Source: starrfmonline.com

I'm not stockpiling guns - Deputy Chief of Staff

Johnny Osei Kofi, Deputy Chief of Staff Johnny Osei Kofi, Deputy Chief of Staff

Ghana’s Deputy Chief of Staff, Johnny Osei Kofi, has rubbished allegations that he is stockpiling guns and ammunition to cause mayhem during this year’s presidential and parliamentary elections on December 7.

Member of Parliament for Assin Central, Kennedy Agyepong, alleged on some radio stations in Kumasi two weeks ago that Mr Osei has imported guns and ammunition to create confusion during the general elections.

The MP was said to have repeated the allegations on ATV last week, something that has triggered a response from Mr. Kofi, who initially declined to dignify the claims by responding to them.

But Mr. Kofi, who is contesting the Oforikrom Constituency parliamentary seat on the ticket of the National Democratic Congress, told party supporters at a mini rally Sunday that “I want him to know that I don’t have time to battle him over useless and baseless comments”.

He said the allegation by the controversial Member of Parliament is intended to “tarnish my good image,” noting the fact that he has been quiet over the allegations all these while does not make him a soft person.

“I’m not a soft person, but a liar like Kennedy is the least of my worries and shouldn’t be entertained. He is already in the gutters and I won’t descend with him.

“The harsh public criticism that greets his uncharitably insulting posture is worrying and I think he takes pride in endlessly making such reckless statements… Everybody must be responsible in their acts so that we ensure a violence-free election,” Mr. Osei Kofi added.

The NDC, he said, believes in politics of issues devoid of insults and lies, and that any attempt by any individual or group to ignite violence cannot be accepted.

Mr Osei said government would not allow anyone to exploit or take Ghanaians for granted in anyway, saying, “this will never be countenanced in the country ahead of the December polls”.

The Deputy Chief of Staff added the government will “make sure no one rigs the 2016 general election”.