Re: PDS scandal voice recording 'purely false and fake' - Philip Ayesu

The Board Chairman of the defunct Power Distribution Services (PDS) Ghana Limited, Mr Philip Ayesu, has described as "an elaborate fabrication", reports of an alleged conversation between himself and some influential persons within the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) over a grand scheme to take over the shares of PDS.

According to him, the alleged discussion with Gabby Asare Otchere Darko which has been widely circulated on social media platforms, never occurred; hence the voice recording is "purely false and fake".

In a statement issued today (Saturday), which made reference to a recent voice spoofing video recording of US President Donald Trump and Speaker Nancy Pelosi, the PDS Chair said he is of the firm conviction that the fake recording is "pregnant with mischief".

"I can strongly confirm that the said recording is fake and pregnant with mischief to score an expensive political point using me as a pawn, since no such conversation ever occurred. It is but an elaborate fabrication with the help of an artificial intelligence-based software. It only reminds me of the reported voice spoofing video recording of President Donald Trump and Speaker Nancy Pelosi which was exposed by CNN and recently a similar recording of British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Opposition leader Corbyn," portions of the statement read.

Serving notice of his intent to sue the originators of the fake audio recording, which he believes "borders on criminality", Mr Ayesu disclosed that he has "referred this defamatory mischief calculated to tarnish my hard-earned reputation to my lawyers and will be lodging a complaint with the Ghana Police Service."

Below is a copy of his statement

Philip Ayesu Responds To Fake Voice Recording

My attention has been drawn to a 29th November, 2019, Ghanaweb publication headlined: “PDS SCANDAL...” of an alleged recording of a conversation between myself and Gabby Asare Otchere Darko, discussing PDS shares.

I would like to put on record that this is a mischievous and totally fabricated story. It never happened. I have never hazarded the thought of owning 40% of the shares in PDS, and never owned anything close to that amount of shares in PDS for any person to have suggested to me for my shares to be reduced below 40%, and the records faithfully attest to this. I have never discussed any such thing with my lawyers or other shareholders, let alone with a third party.

I can strongly confirm that the said recording is fake and pregnant with mischief to score an expensive political point using me as a pawn, since no such conversation ever occurred. It is but an elaborate fabrication with the help of an artificial intelligence-based software. It only reminds me of the reported voice spoofing video recording of President Donald Trump and Speaker Nancy Pelosi which was exposed by CNN and recently a similar recording of British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Opposition leader Corbyn.

Suffice to say, in any event, as an individual entrepreneur, I am at liberty to take advice from anybody I choose and also discuss with whomever I wish to discuss my private business, without the remote threat of breaching any law or agreement with any other party. But, it must be stressed that this particular purported conversation with Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko never happened. It is purely false and fake.

The perpetrator of this falsehood has been persistent in lies about myself and PDS in which one of my other companies has some equity participation and even extends it to my advisors.

I have consistently resisted any urge to respond to issues which have come into the public domain; however, the circulation of a conversation purportedly involving me which borders on criminality warrants a response and the taking of appropriate actions.

I have referred this defamatory mischief calculated to tarnish my hard-earned reputation to my lawyers and will be lodging a complaint with the Ghana Police Service.

Thank you.

Signed

Philip Ayesu.