Former President Flt. Lt. Jerry John Rawlings has described President John Agyekum Kufuor as the worst “constitutional terrorist” he has ever come across.
According to him, when he handed over power to Kufuor in January 2001, he, Rawlings, was “tired” of power and had “little energy left” to feel anything. However, handing over power was something he “looked forward to”.
“The foolishness started but it was something that we had to put up with and we did. It was really bad and I hope enough people will see what I’m talking about,” Rawlings told Kwaku Sakyi-Addo on Asaase Radio, referencing similar attempts he said were made by Limann’s security apparatus to eliminate him.
When asked what was really bad, President Rawlings bemoaned “the persecution, the corruption that was going on, and some of the killings that were taking place” in Kufuor’s government.
“I mean right now as we sit here, I would wish I could shut my mouth about anything reproachful, or anything negative about Mills’s people, John Mahama’s and the current president.
And I’m saying so because, in this lifetime of mine [political activities], that man was one of the worst constitutional terrorists I’ve ever come across,” a visibly frustrated Rawlings said.
“If I have to criticize or expose this man once in a while, and that appears to be earning him public sympathy, then I don’t see why I should criticize people who have committed fewer offences,” Rawlings observed.
The two former heads of state have had a go at each other since Jerry John Rawlings handed over power to JA Kufuor on January 7, 2001.
Rawlings believes that the man who succeeded him was presiding over corrupt activities which were having a great effect on the country’s economy.
While addressing the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) on October 31, 2019, Mr Rawlings alleged that his predecessor was responsible for the perennial floods in Accra which have been destroying properties.
The former president is quoted to have said amongst other things, “Nkrumah has left his legacy, the freedom and Justice arch… I am saying that’s something he left. Do you want to know the one for Kufuor? Those Villagio villages,” Rawlings had said to the GJA.
The Kufuor one. The Villagio villages were built on the waterway... the southern part of the motorway… why won’t others do it? Their houses and their factories… That’s his legacy! If he can do it, why can’t others do it? He blocked the waterway!” Rawlings had stressed to the GJA.
In this, latest “Sunday Night” interview with Sakyi-Addo broadcast on Sunday 5th July, Rawlings added that on campaign platforms, he had aimed at Ghanaians reducing childbirth and promoting family planning but Kufuor was campaigning that Ghanaians should give birth to more children.
“So when I am, even during the campaign period, advocating for family planning, and there is in the next corner, there's another politician saying: ‘mo nwo ba [mma], mo nwo ba, mo nwo ba,’ [meaning give birth to more children], that’s what’s his name, Kufour for you. How? I am wondering: ‘What the hell is wrong with this guy.”
Kwaku Sakyi-Addo said he did not recall to which Rawlings responded, “I wouldn’t say this if it wasn’t true!”
Source: ghanaweb
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Mr Rawlings, please stop these comments, time past all these, maintain your respect and I do respect you. Look, now Sir John is gone and we don't know who is next? Kuffour or Rawlings with all the indifference will attend the funeral (God forbid any of you die soon because Ghana still need both of you). Listen Chairman general, soldier piky, Olympic flag bearer, "DKY" comment on Sir John, is a lesson for all of us.
Irresponsible from a former head of state.
President Kuffour did far better than Mr Rawlings 19 years of ruling this counry.Yet he always complains Kuffour's 8 years was worse in the history of 4th republic. Forgotten about Mahama's era. The reason is simple, Mr Rawlings thought Kuffour was going loose himself as Liman did. 2. Kuffour exposed him of all the killings and atrocities he did during his PNDC/NDC era through the national reconciliation commission. 3. Kuffour banned him from celebrating both the June 4 and 31 December. 4. Kuffour stopped him from going to all the barracks. So Mr Rawlings feels Kuffour stepped on his freedom that brought about his hatting. Kuffour learnt a lesson from Liman and decided to take care of himself so I think he was tight.
Rawlings is a pathological liar, very dishonest indeed. Does he think he is the only being living in Ghana? His government was the worst ever, given the numerous crimes and prosecution he oversaw against the good people of Ghana. Then, if you match his achievement s against the executions ordered against mankind, all in the name of eradicating corruption, I ask myself, did it worth it. You see if Rawlings would keep quiet and stop blaming others for his incompetence and failures, he would be far better off, otherwise, he is walking illegality. Indeed, he had no cause whatsoever to always use any platform to attack former President Kufour; for things which are not known to Ghanaians but only left to the sole imagination of Rawlings. It is a well-accepted fact that President Kufour’s administration performed remarkably better for his 8 years term office as against Rawlings’ 20 years of office in terms of good governance, economic management, and the handling of corruption. For me, I think Rawlings had committed himself to a huge responsibility by killing the generals and many others. Thus, I would have otherwise assessed him as a failed Head of State in Africa as we have many of them, in Africa. If you commit yourself to such magnitude of responsibility and expectations by death punishment, then more is expected from you and Rawlings failed us abysmally.
Mr. Rawlings, can you please tell Ghanaians how many people got missing under your watch for the 19 years you ruled Ghana? Under Kuffour we enjoyed NHIA, School Feeding, Free maternal delivery etc etc yet no Ghanaian got missing. You are the most terrorist ever in this country called Ghana.