General News of Tuesday, 11 September 2012

Source: The Herald

Ras Mubarak: I am not a thief

Outspoken National Democratic Congress Parliamentary candidate in the Ablekuma North Constituency in the Greater Accra, Ras Mubarak, has taken swipe at rumors circulating on the social networking site, Facebook that he had 'stolen Mills' funeral items'.

He described people behind the rumor as 'a bunch of New Patriotic Party (NPP) cowards, who were backed by an NPP independent candidate in my area, are hell bent on taking me down'.

Mr. Mubarak however warned that no amount of such ridiculous stories will stop him from winning the Ablekuma North seat from the NPP and provide the kind of leadership that has been missing for the past 16 years in the constituency.

Ras Mubarak was reacting to a ridiculously designed newspaper, “National Express' which does not exist in the Ghanaian media but making the rounds on the Internet (Facebook) that the stole some items during the late president's funeral.

An evil fabrication, targeted at tarnishing the image of the vociferous young politician whose candidature as MP is believed to have been persistently causing disorder in the camp of his opponent and incumbent MP, Joe Appiah.

Ras explained on his Facebook wall that “as a matter of fact I had given away 100 bags of rice freely to constituents including needy institutions even before the former president's funeral”.

The story, according to Mr. Mubarak, was not only aimed at damaging his hard earned reputation but it sought to cause disaffection against him.

“How can someone steal one hundred bags of rice without being noticed?” Mubarak quizzed “adding that my response to this nonsense will be ruthless”.

He added that this is not the first time the NPP bunch of cowards have attempted to ruin my reputation.

“They went to Crusading Guide to claim that I had beaten up my wife and was sleeping with a secretary who works in my constituency office.

And when Crusading Guide refused to publish the trash because the story had no merit, they decided to use the social media.

“I can't be distracted at this time of the campaign, but in due season they will cry and beg for mercy but it will be too late”.

He pointed out that when people have nothing to offer and no real talent to compete in anything, they resort to mudslinging, hence disgusting.

When asked whether or not he will take a legal action against the people behind this, he said “Unfortunately I can't sue”.

Meanwhile The Herald has gathered that some youth groups from the Ablekuma North are mobilizing support to demonstrate against the MP, Mr. Appiah for what they said is the MP's “lack of support for students” in the Constituency.

According to the youth, numbering close to hundred, the MP only supports people who he know and come from his hometown, Akim Oda or its surrounding townships in the Eastern Region.

Some inhabitants also told The Herald on condition of anonymity that, Mr. Appiah has done nothing to the people of Ablekuma North.

They noted that the MP only comes close to them in the constituency when election is approaching, trying to influence constituents with material things such as money.