Dr Yaw Osafo-Maafo, a leading member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has been challenged to produce the un-doctored version of the tape on which he was alleged to have made ethno-centric comments.
According to Mr Godwin Edudzi Tamaklo, Convener of the Coalition for the Defence of Equal Citizenship (CODEC), Dr Osafo-Maafo’s comments were captured during a meeting with the Eastern Regional Council of Elders of the NPP on January 29, at the Oyinka Hotel in Koforidua.
Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, Mr Tamaklo urged Dr Osafo-Maafo to admit his wrong-doings, and desist from making his party members cast doubt over the authenticity of the tape.
He said it was sad that after alleging that the tape was doctored, Dr Osafo-Maafo failed to indicate which portions had been tampered with.
The Convener said the comments represent a major setback to the efforts made by our forbears, and the current generation of Ghanaians, to build a country in which tolerance, unity, togetherness and respect for diversity exist.
Mr Tamaklo pledged the readiness of CODEC to remain totally committed to the principles of equity and fairness in the extension of opportunities to the people to aspire to the leadership of the country, irrespective of their ethnic backgrounds.
“Dr Osafo-Maafo’s strategy to cast doubt over the tape has only strengthened our resolve to create even a greater awareness through series of activities about the dangers inherent in hated speeches,” he said.
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