A Deputy Information Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has taken a swipe at the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) for back tracking on the entrenched position they took that the voice on the alleged tape was that of his colleague minister Baba Jamal. According to him, the NPP who were very categorical and certain that Baba Jamal was indeed the one on the tape wooing journalist to do government’s bidding are now calling for voice experts to authenticate it. The NPP on Thursday August 4, 2011 at a press conference revealed a list containing names of 15 journalists in the Upper East region purported to have been promised jobin the National Youth Employment Programme (NYEP), cars and cash to support government bid to retain power in 2012. The action by government is alleged to have been spearheaded by Baba Jamal, Deputy Information Minister who met with the journalists in a secret meeting during his tour to the region. Baba Jamal has challenged the NPP and has threatened legal action against all media houses that played or published the content on the alleged tape if they don’t retract and apologise to him. However, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen programme Monday said the hasty conclusion and the quick reaction by the NPP to hold a press conference on the mystery tape indicates how desperate they are for power. He observed that if the NPP had done a thorough investigation into the allegation, Ghanaians would believe they are a very responsible party rather than drawing a hasty conclusion. The Deputy Information Minister noted that the account numbers provided by the NPP at their press conference were concocted since the Nara Rural Bank which allegedly opened accounts for the journalists has denied having such accounts. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa denied categorically that the allegation against his colleague adding that there is no need for a voice expert to determine whether the voice on the mystery tape is indeed Baba Jamal or not. He said government has directed the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) and the National Security outfit to investigate the allegations by the NPP. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa expressed disappointments in the media for being unconcern about their colleagues who have fallen victims of the NPP’s prank. He urged the NPP to as a matter of urgency to apologize to government, the 15 journalists indicted in their concocted story and Ghanaians.