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The Ghana Journalists Association is calling on the National Media Commission to conduct investigations into the controversial mystery tape in which government is accused of attempting to bribe journalists. This is because its preliminary investigations into the matter have so far been inconclusive. An audio-tape recording of a voice said to be that of Deputy Information Minister Baba Jamal promising cash and car to journalists has got the country talking. The Deputy Minister has been vociferous in denial and has threatened legal action against persons who link him to the tape he has described as nothing more than a concoction. The Upper East regional GJA conducted a fact-finding investigation into the allegations and made its findings known to the national executive of the Association. General Secretary of the Association, Bright Blewu told Joy News’ Araba Koomson the findings are inconclusive. “Even though they have done the best they could as an executive, if the issues are not resolved then that would mean that some issues will come up and others will see it as victory and others will be vanquished,” he said. He observed, the GJA in the Upper East did not have certain powers to conduct a thorough investigation into the matter, saying the issue needs a higher authority like the NMC to investigate. Whilst admitting that all the issues have not been resolved, Mr. Blewu was however convinced per the details of the report that attempts were made by certain persons to influence journalists in the region. The report could not however tell who were behind those attempts. “There is some impression that there are some politicians who are trying to do that kind of thing but you see names have not been mentioned because obviously you must get certain leads which are not forthcoming and that is why I think the best way forward would be for the constitutional body to look at this whole matter and get to the bottom of it,” he said. The GJA as a body is however yet to meet on the matter. Meanwhile, government has reiterated its innocence in the matter. Deputy Information Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, at a press conference in Accra on Monday said the allegations are part of a plot by the opposition to malign government officials. He challenged the New Patriotic Party to substantiate allegations of bribery against government officials, insisting the voice on the mystery tape could not have been that of the Deputy Minister. Joy News’ Fiifi Koomson who was present at the conference reported that Baba Jamal has written to the IGP for criminal investigations to be conducted on the matter.

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DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.