<<Print>>

The Member of Parliament for Abokobi Madina says he disagrees with calls for the CEO of the Narcotics Control Board (NACOB), Akrasi Sarpong to mention names of those politicians he claims intend to use drug money in the 2012 elections. Alhaji Amadu Sorogho says it is too premature for Mr Sarpong to give out names because there is the need for thorough investigations to be conducted in order not to accuse anybody wrongly. The NACOB boss had said that his outfit�s intelligence had uncovered information suggesting that some politicians, whose names he declined to mention, intended to use money from narcotics trade to fund campaigns for the 2012 elections. He said NACOB was keenly monitoring the expenditure of political parties in the run-up to the elections, warning that he would deal ruthlessly with any politician caught. His statements have sparked some public debate, with politicians especially those from the opposition and others in security-related engagements demanding that he mentions names to put the matter to rest and avoid unnecessary suspicion and doubt. Some, like former Interior Minister, Nana Obiri Boahene have described his statements irresponsible. But speaking on Adom FM on Tuesday, Alhaji Amadu Sorogho said Mr Akrasi Sarpong should not heed those calls because of the sensitive nature of the issue. According to him, even though he does not doubt what the NACOB boss said, he would have wished that he (Akrasi Sarpong) had not made those statements at the time he did until investigations had been completed but agreed that perhaps he had conducted his own investigations and had considerable information which had warranted those statements. Besides that, the Chairman of the Fire Service Board stated that it was not advisable to come out with names now because Mr Sarpong had stated that he only had clues or hints and not facts and that wasn�t enough to come out with names which could be wrong later. Alhaji Sorogho said just the warning was good because it would stop those considering dealing in narcotics and caution those who were already in to stop because the consequences would be serious if they are caught. He therefore advised that the Narcotics Control Board be encouraged to continue doing their work to help flush out drug barons and minimize the menace to the barest levels. He also urged Mr Akrasi Sarpong not to bow to pressure but be patient and conduct painstaking investigations before mentioning the names so that the culprits will receive the punishment they deserve. However outspoken NPP MP for Asikuma Odoben Brakwa, P.C. Appiah-Ofori said it was unfair to all politicians for the NACOB boss to make such generalizations which are an indictment on their integrity. Mr. Appiah-Ofori told Dwaso Nsem host, Adakabre Frimpong Manso that these are serious allegations which Mr. Akrasi Sarpong should be made to provide proof. He argued that if Mr Sarpong was making such statements at this particular time, then it meant that he had evidence so he supports the call for the disclosure of the persons involved. He said since it was politicians who had been indicted it was imperative that their names be mentioned so that their respective parties can take action against them, including dismissing them from their midst. On why the NPP seemed the only opposition very interested in the issue, Mr Appiah-Ofori said, the NPP was concerned because of what happened during their tenure of office when former Member of Parliament, Eric Amoateng was arrested and jailed for drug trafficking; a situation that was a huge embarrassment not only for the NPP but for Ghanaians in general. He stressed that the NPP was concerned because they did not want to be regarded with suspicion again or hear comments from people that seek to imply that they are the ones reviving the business again. P.C. Appiah-Ofori however stated that if Mr Akrasi Sarpong�s claims are true, then it�s a shameful act which must not be encouraged.