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Former Finance Minister in the erstwhile Kufuor administration has described as "doctored, mischievously re-arranged and pieced together, using modern technology, to create a false impression", the alleged tape purported to be his voice spewing ethnocentric comments. 

The former Akim Oda MP and an NPP stalwart said the contents of the tape have been "distorted as advocating tribal or ethnic sentiments, trying to create the impression that he is a tribalist".

The leaked audio tape which captures a male voice resembling that of the NPP founding member went viral last week raising concerns from political analysts, some party bigwigs and social commentators that the tribal comments could affect the party’s fortunes in 2016.

The Al-Hajj newspaper, which first reported on the incident, published that "accusing fingers have been pointed at a former Eastern regional Chairman of the party, Dr Samuel Annor, believed to be a right-hand man of Alan Kyeremanten, as the possible perpetrator".

This subsequently induced a strong denial from Dr Annor, who categorically debunked the publication saying he had not "sponsored, masterminded or induced any such mischievous recording of an obviously confidential meeting of the party let alone leak such a tape for purposes of undermining the unity and harmony of the party" 

The tape was apparently captured at a meeting between the one-time Sports Minister and the NPP’s Council of Elders in the Eastern region.

The voice, which mostly spoke in the local Twi language, but punctuated the delivery with some English, is heard bemoaning why even though about 90 percent of Ghana’s natural resources are concentrated in mainly Akan-speaking regions of the country, it is people who come from regions without resources that are governing the country.

“…You have all the resources, but you have no say in the management of your resources and that is what is happening. Your development depends on the one who has no resources...You can’t say this openly,” he cautioned the Council members, but added that they are at liberty to talk about it among Asantes.

Whiles admitting that he did comment "on the state of the Ghanaian economy, on political strategy and on economic and political empowerment" at a meeting with party gurus last month, the one-time flagbearer aspirant of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) strongly believed the concocted tape has been "mischievously released to coincide with and try to overshadow the recent successful “Wᴐn Gbo” demonstration" held last Wednesday by the opposition party.

"The release of this doctored tape is a desperate attempt to divert the attention of Ghanaians from REAL problems facing Ghana – widespread corruption, rising levels of unemployment, economic hardships and mismanagement of the economy," Osafo Maafo said in a statement signed by his Special Assistant, Emmanuel Bediako Mamfe.


Read a copy of Ing Osafo Maafo's reaction to the leaked audio tape.



 Re: Alleged Tape Recording Of Meeting Held In Koforidua

Our attention has been drawn to an alleged tape recording of a meeting in Koforidua held on the 29th January, 2015. At this meeting Hon. Yaw Osafo-Maafo made several remarks on the state of the Ghanaian economy, on political strategy and on economic and political empowerment.

Subsequently, some of his remarks have been distorted as advocating tribal or ethnic sentiments, trying to create the impression that he is a tribalist. In all his public life, he has striven to do what is right for Ghana and not for any sectional interest.

We therefore wish to state the following:

(i).  The alleged tape purported to be his voice has been doctored, mischievously re-arranged and pieced together, using modern technology, to create a false impression.

(ii).   This meeting took place on 29th January, but this concoction has been mischievously released to coincide with and try to overshadow the recent successful “Wᴐn Gbo” demonstration of 18th February.

(iii). The release of this doctored tape is a desperate attempt to divert the attention of Ghanaians from REAL problems facing Ghana – widespread corruption, rising levels of unemployment, economic hardships and mismanagement of the economy.

 
 

……signed……

Emmanuel Bediako Mamfe

Special Assistant

Office of Ing. Yaw Osafo-Maafo