Accra, Sept. 20, GNA – Dr Kwesi Aning, Peace and Security Expert at the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre on Tuesday denied assertions in the WikiLeaks report attributed to him on Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo’s alleged drug usage.

“I wish to disassociate myself from the reports and to categorically state that I did not make those statements either in a conversation with a US government official or with any other individual.

“Yes, I have had several discussions with several people on various topics related to my expertise but at no point have I discussed the private dealings of any previous or current government official or public figure,” Dr Aning stated in a statement made available to the Ghana News Agency in Accra.

“I must point out that I have been very vocal about Ghana’s political process and made comments on several issues related to this process.

“These comments have been made based on my competence as an academic and researcher on international politics, diplomacy and peace and security - an expertise that also provides opportunities for me to engage with a lot of diplomats, ambassadors, government officials, academics and the media”.

Dr Aning re-asserted his commitment to Ghana’s democratic process and expectations for improved peace and security in the country and the sub-region as a whole, and challenged anybody with contrary views to provide evidence “that I made those remarks”.

He noted, “It will be rudimentary for me to tarnish my own reputation by discussing the private lives of politicians with those that I engage with; this is not my character.

“I will want to re-state my commitment to Ghana’s democratic process and continued contribution to intellectual discourses that will move the country forward”.

The WikiLeaks reportedly quoted Dr Aning as affirming that Nana Akufo Addo, New Patriotic Party flag-bearer for the 2012 general election, had used drugs in his younger days, but that it was now under control.

The reports indicated that Dr Aning made the allegation in a conversation with an unnamed US Government official in Accra