Only Court Can Compel Me To Mention Names - Akrasi Sarpong Tells NPP

The Executive Secretary of the Narcotics Control Board (NACOB) Yaw Akrasi Sarpong has dared the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) to go to court to compel him to disclose the identities of suspected drug dealers on his watch list. According to him, the mere challenge by the NPP would not compel him or his outfit to release the names of politicians who are involved in the narcotics trade. �Those guys (NPP) think that because they are politicians and because they are always in the news, they want to use undefined space of public opinion. They should go to court and let the court force me to mention the names,� he stressed. The New Patriotic Party has thrown a challenge to the NACOB Boss to name, shame and prosecute politicians involved in the narcotics trade instead of engaging in propaganda to favour the ruling party. The NPP argued that the comments of Akrasi Sarpong�s that some politicians intend to use proceeds of drug to fund their campaigns in the 2012 general elections is rather petty and �irresponsible�. Speaking on Asempa FM on Tuesday, Mr. Akrasi Sarpong dared the NPP to disclose their source of funding especially during electioneering campaigns. He stated that �I am an NDC man but I can bet them (NPP) that once I am in that law enforcement unit, I am not going to deal with NDC/NPP matters. It is about law enforcement and I want to do my work and leave with a record�. Mr. Akrasi Sarpong wondered why the NPP are outraged about his comments when indeed the possibility of political parties being funded by proceeds from drug trade is very high. Conceding that naming and shaming would be a better method; Akrasi Sarpong said it is also important to forewarn those engage in the illicit trade. Debunking suggestions that his comments is to tarnish the image of the NPP, the NACOB Boss opined that his outfit would not arrest and prosecute people involved in the narcotic trade based on their party affiliation but in accordance with the laws of the country. �Political parties should be supporting anti-narcotics law enforcement rather than say I dare, I dare because it is a waste of time."