General News of Friday, 19 February 2010

Source: The Enquirer

Ursula Owusu Busted

Ursula Owusu, a diehard fanatic of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), is quietly inciting the Domestic Violence Bill Coalition, to attack President John Evans Atta Mills and his Government for a decision taken by a court of competent jurisdiction to remand a foul-mouthed radio commentator in prison custody.
The commentator, one Nana Darkwa, said to be a sympathizer of the NPP had, on radio yesterday, accused Ex-President Jerry Rawlings for criminally burning down his house and stated that he had evidence to support his claim that the ex-president was an arsonist.
Arson is a criminal offence under the law.
According to cyber monitoring of her activities, Ursula sent e-mails to several persons, including certain individuals within the US government, saying: “I am very alarmed at the extreme overreaction of the NDC government to the panel discussion at Top radio this morning and we should be very vocal in our condemnation and speak up against it.”
She continued that “The young man picked up and hurriedly arraigned before court on trumped up charges has been remanded in custody till 3rd March, and I wonder if we are all not at risk here. We go on air to express our opinions on matters of public interest. If someone takes offence at our comments (and not everyone will like what we say), they could also engineer a similar fate for us. Why is the government exhibiting such levels of intolerance? What are they afraid of?”
“Worse accusations were hurled at President Kufuor and members of the NPP by Mr. Rawlings and other members of the NDC. Remember his categorical assertion that cabinet ministers were responsible for the serial killing of women and his insistence on chemical interrogation when questioned? What about Asiedu Nketiah and his claim that all the presidential aspirants of the NPP were thieves? What didn't they say about their political opponents when they were in opposition? They enjoyed the air of freedom which blew throughout the country under the NPP government so why can't they allow others to have their say, even if they find it unpalatable?”
Ms. Ursula Owusu, who was once special assistant to Nana Akufo Addo, wondered whether this is not “an attempt to gag us or prevent Ghanaians from hearing the truth about what is going on in our dear country today, under the watch of the Law Professor, self styled 'asomdwehene' ? Is this another attempt to recreate the 'culture of silence'?”
In her e-mail and other very serious ones in the possession of The Enquirer she told the group that
“On 24th December 2008, I said on Peace FM that for me the choice between candidate Mills and candidate Akufo-Addo was a very simple one. I would rather choose the man who had demonstrated by word and deed that he would respect, promote and protect individual rights and freedoms and the entrenchment of human rights at the heart of our body politic. This flagrant abuse of the right to free speech and free expression vindicates those of us who said that Atta Mills and his NDC are anti human rights and against the enjoyment of individual liberties guaranteed by the '92 Constitution”
“Are we going to sit by in the comfort of our homes and allow this outrage to continue? It could be you or me tomorrow” she said
Ursula worked with the Attorney Generals Department, as a special assistant to the NPP flagbearer in the 2008 elections. Her departure from the department is riddled with several rumours.