Information Minister Kojo Oppong Nkrumah is calling for the use of audio forensics in establishing the credibility and identities of persons heard in the leaked National Democratic Congress audiotape.
Voices on the audio recording said to be that of NDC chairman Samuel Ofosu Ampofo was heard allegedly plotting with other leadership of the party to create insecurity in Ghana and unleash rage war against the EC chair as well.
Again, among other things, the voice was heard encouraging the NDC communicators to embark on a smear campaign to paint President Nana Akufo-Addo as a violent person.
The NDC has since Wednesday denied the authenticity of the audio claiming the content has been falsified by the government and National Security.
The party accused the government of planting recording gadgets at its headquarters to record the said audio and doctoring same for “their spiteful ends”.
“The maliciously depraved and clearly doctored tape has been contrived by some devious elements in the NPP and government to undermine the NDC and its National Chairman,” the party claimed in the statement.
On the back of that, Information Minister Oppong Nkrumah said Thursday that it was important for the Police CID to adopt audio forensic in its ongoing investigations into the matter by seeking the services of international experts.
“We encourage all to support this investigation, preferably done with the support of the necessary international acoustic analysts to determine the validity, identities and the level of seriousness to be attached to the alleged conspiracy,” he suggested.
Addressing journalists on the matter, he indicated that the government takes seriously, the alleged conspiracy to create insecurity within the country, and assured such plots will not be allowed to manifest.
He said the government expects the Police CID investigations to also determine whether or not the leaders of the NDC “are indeed conspiring to commit acts to cause insecurity within the Ghanaian jurisdiction”.
The results of the said audio forensic, he noted, will guide the people of Ghana and the police the level of seriousness to attach to the leaked recording.
The minister said the cohesion and stability of state must be handled with the highest level of seriousness.
“The alleged conspiracy if true puts at risk politically exposed persons, families and associates of the government, women and children in Ghana. It also put at risk state organisations such as the national peace council and the Electoral Commission,” Oppong Nkrumah said.
In view of that, he said the necessary steps are being taken to ensure that the security of such persons and institutions is upheld.
“Government takes very seriously any attempt to attack constitutional and legal entities like the electoral commission and the national peace council or any conspiracy to deploy violence and panic whether through kidnappings or mob attacks using vigilante groups or in general, any enterprise to create insecurity within the Ghanaian jurisdiction,” he stated.
He said the capacity and determination of the state to maintain peace and security and protect “Ghana’s enviable image” remains unchanged.
The Akufo-Addo administration will not renege on its responsibility in that field,” he assured.
By Stephen Kwabena Effah|3news.com|Ghana