Government has directed the Bureau of National Investigations, BNI, to investigate accusations by the New Patriotic party, NPP, that it attempted to bribe some journalists to do government’s bidding. Deputy Information Minister, Samuel Okudzeto-Ablakwa describes the allegations as baseless and shameful. “We have actually written to the BNI to carry out investigations into this matter because we believe if we do not stop this trend of concoctions and fabrications, the NPP will stop at nothing in its desperation to return to power in 2012,” he revealed. The directive follows a press conference called by the NPP on Thursday at which the opposition party demanded investigations into the origins of a tape recording on which a man promises rewards for journalists who can help propagate government’s agenda. But speaking to Joy News Okudzeto-Ablakwa stated that “our government will be the most foolish government in history if we will set out to bribe people, put them through a youth employment model, give them internship letters and give them bank account numbers. I mean nobody pursues illegal acts of bribery in this manner.” He further stressed that the evidence adduced by the NPP which had the bank account numbers of the purported journalists was bogus as some of the account numbers provided are for more than one person. “I honestly think that the NPP should take the people of this country seriously… We have obtained the tape and listened to it and you don’t need to procure the services of a voice expert. It’s so clear that somebody is busily trying to mimic the voice of Baba Jamal and the voice is just not Baba Jamal.” He said “this is a poorly hatched machination which is turning out to be a nightmare for the New Patriotic party.” Source: Joy News/Myjoyonline.com/Ghana