The Editor of the Ghana Palaver Newspaper, Jojo Bruce Quansah has said his recent publication about an alleged meeting between President Kufuor and service Commanders of the Ghana Armed Forces was not out of mischief. He admits the story was not well researched and was ready to cooperate with the National Security in their ongoing investigations. He was however not ready to retract or stand by the publication, saying he would rather wait for the investigations to be over. “Maybe the timing is wrong but I will not say whether I stand by it or do not.” On News File, a news analysis programme on JOY FM, held on Saturday, Quansah said he fully understands the public reaction to the publication, more so when the country was close to a crucial election in December. The Editor said he “respects the action taken from the castle.” But the Deputy General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress Elvis Afriyie Ankrah was far from respecting that action. Mr Ankrah who called into the programme said the action by the President was “unnecessary and an overkill reaction.” Even though Mr. Ankrah condemned the publication by Palaver, he insisted the action smacks of double standards. He made reference to an accusation against the former president made by President Kufuor at an NPP rally at Offinso to the effect that the Former President had gone to an oil rich country to purchase arms for a coup, demanding why the National Security did not institute an investigation into that allegation. “If a whole president could make such an allegation and would not be investigated, why should a small news paper like palaver?” Malik Kweku Baaku a regular panel on the show in reaction to Mr. Ankrah’s intervention said the President’s allegation was indiscreet but added that clarity should be brought to bare in discussing issues when they come up. He referred to the intervention as “distorting and full of emotions.” On the substantive issue, Malik Kweku Baaku objected to how the case was handled saying the President “could still have ordered investigations into the matter without necessarily making it public.” He however dismissed claims that the allegation be ignored with contempt, insisting the investigations were necessary, to find out the motive and consequences of the publication. He said the investigation should only be aimed at exposing the falsity of the story, and not to arrest and prosecute the journalists involved. He referred to the publication as mischievous and an”unfortunate piece of journalism” which criminalizes the presidency and has the tendency of creating tension within the military. He advised the Palaver to do due diligence and appropriately retract and apologize when it is necessary. Story by Nathan Gadugah