General News of Wednesday, 24 October 2012

Source: Joy Online

Karbo may be prosecuted- Kobby Acheampong

The Deputy Interior Minister Kobby Acheampong has revealed government has begun investigations into a controversial tape on which a voice purported to be that of the National Youth Organiser of the opposition party Anthony Karbo is heard, plotting to recruit mercenaries to cause mayhem in the upcoming December elections.

Mr. Acheampong told the BBC, Tuesday, government was authenticating the voice on the audio tape and will prosecute Anthony Karbo if their suspicion is confirmed.

A voice said to be that of the NPP National Organizer has surfaced in which he is alleged to be plotting to recruit ‘macho men’ to protect the ballot in the December elections, but Anthony Karbo has vehemently denied the allegations.

In a statement, Karbo said the voice on that tape cannot be his and has not made any such comment being attributed to him on the tape.

His party has begun investigations into the allegation, but National Security is taking the allegations a lot more serious.

Kobby Acheampong said to the BBC if the voice on the tape is authenticated to be that for Anthony Karbo, government will take immediate steps to prosecute him.

Ghana’s political history is no stranger to controversial audio tapes.

Last year a deputy Information Minister Baba Jamal was said to have organized a meeting to bribe journalists in the North with a view to writing positive stories about the government.

He however denied the allegations blaming the opposition NPP for contriving the mystery tape.

The National Organiser of the ruling party, Yaw Boateng Gyan a couple of months ago was also captured on tape in which he was discussing recruiting sympathizers of the ruling party into the national security.

Gyan admitted the voice on the tape was his, but said there was no ill-motive behind the statement he made.

National Security Coordinator Gbevlo Lartey told Joy News Gyan had no such power to recruit loyalists of the party into the National Security adding that the statement did not amount to an offence and would not be prosecuted.