A Deputy Information Minister, Baba Jamal, is threatening court action against the Daily Guide for attributing the contents of a tape recording it published on Wednesday to him. The publication claims Baba Jamal was the person on tape promising goodies for journalists it said he met secretly to do the bidding of the government. But the deputy minister insists the newspaper has to retract and apologize to him or face a defamation suit in court. The August 3, 2011, edition of the newspaper claimed the Deputy Minister promised to give journalists incentives, including monthly salaries, cars, etc if only they will do reportage favourable for the government. The alleged meeting was said to have taken place in Bolgatanga in the Upper East Region. But the Deputy Minister is incensed over the publication. In an interview with Joy News on Wednesday, Baba Jamal stated categorically that he has discussed no such issues with journalists. Even though he conceded attending to his official duties in Bolgatanga a few days ago and addressed a press conference in the region, he stated that at no point did he utter the words that have been attributed to him in the tape. He said he had listened to the recording and was convinced cynical minds were up to some mischief. Earlier on Wednesday, the deputy minister had claimed on Peace FM he had hint of a plot by some unspecified persons said to be in possession of equipment that could mimic voices and that they were out on a diabolical agenda. He said little did he know he will be the first victim to such a ploy. He swore by his moslem calling that the voice can never be his. Baba Jamal said the Daily Guide newspaper must be quick with a retraction or will hear from his lawyers. The Upper East Regional correspondent for the Enquirer Newspaper, Samuel Abane who was mentioned in the publication as having participated the meeting, has also dismissed the contents of the tape. He told Joy News’ Dzifa Bampoh that the tape can only be a fabrication. Story by Nathan Gadugah/Myjoyonline.com/Ghana