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The Government has stated unambiguously that Kinapharma Pharmaceuticals Limited has not been treated fairly in the raging �cocaine� fiasco. Government believes that there were �genuine mistakes� which led to the reputation damage inflicted on one of the nation�s leading pharmaceutical companies and that these mistakes were based on �human errors.� Kinapharma Pharmaceuticals Limited last Friday, December 11, 2009 suffered what has been described as an image injury when the authoritative Daily Graphic newspaper reported on its front page that three officials of the company were nabbed for �possessing substances prohibited under Ghana's Narcotic Control Law.� The three were named as the Managing Director, Mr. Kofi Nsiah Poku, the Deputy Managing Director, Mrs. Nsiah Poku and the General Manager, Mr. Eshum Fameyeh. According to the newspaper, the suspects were picked up after a combined team from the police CID headquarters and the Narcotic Control Board (NACOB) identified the substances in a warehouse of the company. It further stated that a field test on some of the substances tested partially positive for cocaine. Quoting unnamed sources at the CID headquarters, the Daily Graphic said the officials of the company, however claimed that they had a permit to import those substances which they argued were drug precursors meant for the manufacture of drugs. On the following day, it was revealed that the substances after thorough examination by the Ghana Standards Board (GSB) were not cocaine. The nabbed officials of the company were subsequently granted bail. In solidarity, the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI), of which Kinapharma is a member, issued a statement calling on government to open an inquiry into the police�s handling of the case. The statement said �the way and manner in which the police action was conducted and leaked to the media before any evidence had been gathered� was enough trigger for government to institute an investigation into the matter. The AGI argued that the investigation is imperative �in view of the fact that the company is a leading manufacturer and exporter of pharmaceuticals which has built a credible brand over the years.� The Association added that any action which has the potential to destroy the brand should require �adequate minimum evidence.� But after the police�s failure on Tuesday to render an apology at its press conference as demanded by the company, government has pledged to lead the way in restoring the reputation of Kinapharma. The police claimed the story did not come from their fold and could not take responsibility for damage caused. ��we are unable to apologise because we believe there is no basis for any apology and our conduct as far as the Kinanpharma issue is concerned, was handled professionally. It was not capricious and it was not malicious,� Criminals Investigative Department (CID) boss, DCOP Frank Adu-Poku stated. He further claimed that if the story indeed originated from his outfit as quoted by the newspaper, it would not have contained certain factual inaccuracies he pointed out. ��only two officials from Kinapharma were arrested and not three, as contained in the publication...Besides, the Accra Regional Police Headquarters played a very important role in the whole operation that culminated in the arrest of the officials but they were conspicuously left out,� he added. In an interview with Citi FM, a deputy Information Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa said it is government�s view that �Kinapharma has not been treated fairly in this matter.� Expressing government�s opinion, Mr. Ablakwa said, �there have been mistakes�genuine mistakes which clearly appear to be based on human errors.� According to him, government has said that they do not have ��an agenda against any company, and businesses are allowed to do what they know how to do best.� He indicated government�s view that �businesses represent the abilities and potentials of our country� and that �we want to assure them (Kinapharma) of a very, very safe environment and congenial atmosphere to operate.� Mr. Okudzeto Ablakwa who sought to assure the business community of government�s support for local industries said though no final decision has been reached on the matter by government, �I can assure �that it is a matter we�ll give serious consideration to.� He said his immediate worry was how the various players in the saga will put the issue behind them, �and let the people eat humble pie if they must and apologise if they must.� He sounded concerned that dragging the issue further will keep Kinapharma�s name in the media for not so good reasons. Notwithstanding the deputy Minister�s concerns, legal counsel for Kinapharma, Boateng Acheampong said his client will travel the full length to restore their blighted image. Explaining why his client will not leave the matter to rest after being vindicated, Mr. Acheampong told Citi FM, �the perception is created out there that we engage in such things and that is what is put out there�you will realize that in this system of ours if matters come up this way, and the perception is created out there and you decide to let sleeping dogs lie, what reasonable guys in the system will think is that you just went out there, �maneuvered and manipulated and got your name cleared.� He minced no words in saying, �we don�t want such a thing.� He vowed to get to the �appropriate judiciary forum where the facts as they are, will be put before somebody who is competent�to adjudicate on the matter, and it clears us out once and for all.� According to the counsel, �whether the police erred or not, is a matter of law� which will be sorted out by the courts. The Daily Graphic has however written an editorial in its Wednesday, December 16, 2009 edition questioning whether the police can be trusted, thereby indicating their intention to stand by their story and the fact that it was leaked to them by the police. The Managing Director, Mr Kofi Nsiah-Poku, was a leading consultant production pharmacist for several countries and organisations, including the WHO, former Marketing Man of the Year, former lecturer in Pharmacy at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) and leading member of both the Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association of Ghana and the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI).