A senior Political Science Lecturer at the University of Ghana and fellow at the Institute of Economic Affairs (IAE), Professor Yaw Ransford Gyampo, has asked ace investigative Journalist, Anas Aremeyaw Anas, as well as the general public not to ignore the allegations made by the Assin Central Member of Parliament, Kennedy Agyapong against Anas.
The Professor in a Facebook post stated that the allegations Kennedy Agyapong has made against Anas are damning and too serious to be ignored.
According to him, the allegations are disingenuous on the part of Anas to create problems for individuals in order to unearth problems of society in a liberalist and libertarian state and that one cannot preach on morality and lawfulness if he himself cannot mount the moral high grounds.
Below is the Facebook post:
I have been listening to the debate generated by the recent expose of Anas on Kwasi Nyantekyi.
I have heard all that Kennedy Agyapong has said and have noted his attempt to unmask him. Indeed, I am currently watching Net 2 TV which is featuring series of discussions by individuals who are taking turns to expose and discredit Anas.
As usual, I have my views on this which must be articulated dispassionately. I am not making allegations against anybody. I am going to raise questions that bothers my mind.
1. The allegations made by Kennedy Agyapong against Anas are damning and too serious to be ignored. It is disingenuous on the part of Anas to create problems for individuals in order to unearth problems of society in a liberalist and libertarian state. One cannot pontificate on morality and lawfulness if he himself cannot mount the moral high grounds.
2. But the allegations may also be diversionary tactics to take minds off the issues thrown in the public domain and to discredit the investigator. We must not be oblivious of one key strategy to win arguments and debates. It is a strategy called "Ridicule to Discredit".
This strategy oftentimes commits an ad hominem fallacy by attacking the person of the one who wields a superior argument instead of dealing with the issues raised.
3. Whether the attempt to unmask Anas is diversionary or not, the records must be set straight in order to clear the minds of Ghanaians.
Anas must go to court to clear his name. His invaluable contributions to the fight against corruption cannot be discounted so easily. His role in augmenting weak institutions in our country must not be dented by such allegations. I trust his mentor, Kwaku Baako and want to believe he would encourage his mentee to do the right thing to clear his name in order not to break the hearts of many Ghanaians.
4. Assuming without admitting that the allegations against Anas are true, why are they being made now? Those making the allegations seem to have a lot of damning information about Anas and his activities. Why have they kept the information to their chest all this while?
Why are they coming out now? Is it because it's about one person, Kwasi Nyantakyi? Is Kwasi Nyantakyi untouchable? Is Kwesi Nyantakyi’s interest superior to all those exposed by Anas previously? Is Kwesi Nyantakyi superior to the judges?
Listening to discussions on Net 2 TV, I can appreciate that the panelists appear to know much about the allegedly crude modus operandi of Anas in his previous exposes, right from the one in Osu Children's Home.
The question is, why didn't they raise objections with the approach used then? What is driving Kennedy Agyapong now? Does he hate Anas? Does he like Nyantekyi so much? Is it for God and country alone?
5. Just as Anas must go to court, those making the allegations must also explain to Ghanaians why the mention of only one man in an expose has triggered their attempt to unmask Anas.
6. Let me summarize by saying that the work of Anas is critical to the fight against corruption. Nothing must be done to discourage him. But he must not be encouraged to resort to unethical means to obtain his findings.
If the allegations being made are true, the timing makes the intentions of those making them quite suspicious. My father told me that a BAD thing is a GOOD thing done at the wrong time.
Nevertheless, if the intentions of those making the allegations are for God and country and nothing else, then Ken Agyapong must be commended in spite of the timing of his outbursts.
Anas should then brace himself to face the wrath of the laws of the land and he must be prepared to lose some respect from Ghanaians. But these may not last long and must not discourage a man with an eye of a tiger from continuing his work for God and country. When the righteous fall 7 times, he must rise 7 times.
Many Ghanaians are now confused and will be very happy if the allegations made against Anas are proven to be false within the shortest possible time. We will love to hear Anas speak on these allegations and go to court to clear his name in order to save the hearts and minds of all those who admire him.
Yaw Gyampo
A31 Prabiw
PAV Ansah Street
Saltpond
Ghana | atinkaonline.com
