Mr Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, a Deputy Minister of Information, on Friday called for a further debate on Wikileaks' narcotic revelations that have hit the nation this week. He said it would not be in the best interest of the nation for the issue to be brushed aside and urged the media to make discussions on the matter a major issue in the days ahead. Mr Okudzeto Ablakwa was addressing members of the Ho Polytechnic branch of Tertiary Education Institutions Network (TEIN) of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) at a day’s session dubbed: “Setting the records straight part II.” He said the revelations gave indications of the levels of commitments of the New Patriot Party (NPP) government and the current NDC government to the fight against narcotics and needed to be discussed thoroughly and not pushed over. Mr Okudzeto Ablakwa said the NDC government was ready to engage the NPP in detailed discussions on the issue and asked the NPP not to be “embarrassed by its narcotic records” and dart away from the issue. He criticized the NPP for being an “irresponsible” opposition and dared it to come clear on the revelations. On Oil, Mr Okudzeto Ablakwa said NPP was hypocritical on the collateralization of the Oil issue and said information available to government indicated that the NPP had collateralized the country’s Cocoa for the construction of the Bui Dam and also collateralized the Jubilee Oil in August 2008 before leaving power. Dr Omane Boamah, Deputy Minister for Science and Environment, said whilst in government, the NPP people shared the best state houses among themselves and objected to housing projects for the populace. “We will pierce through their lies and let Ghanaians know what we have done for our nation”, he said. Mr Joseph Amenowode, Volta Regional Minister, called on people in the region especially students to discount NPP’s cry that no development was taking place in the country and that the region was having a fair share of the national cake. “Our roads are having a major facelift and by the time NDC leaves power, there will be no un-motorable road in the region. We can also talk of educational infrastructure and our state-owned university will be fully operational next year”, he said. Mr Hanan Gundadow, National TEIN Coordinator, urged members of TEIN to arm themselves with “knowledge” so that they could defend the government by preaching its achievements. Mr Andrews Nettey, Ho Polytechnic TEIN President, said the forum was to “set the records straight and put a stop to NPP’s vile propaganda.” Source: GNA