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Former President John Agyekum Kufuor has stated that history would give former President Jerry John Rawlings a "balanced place in the annals of our nation".

In a statement, he said, his wife and he were deeply saddened by the passing of Mr Rawlings which came as a surprise to his entire family.

“President Rawlings was the longest-serving Head of State since our nation’s independence in 1957, and even though it wasn’t always, he and I agreed on many matters of state, I felt that he was trying to do the best he knew and could under his peculiar circumstances,” Mr Kufuor stated.

The statement recalled that when the time came for him to step down as President on January 7, 2001, he obliged.

It said Mr Rawlings tried to contain whatever reservations he had about him (Kufuor) and the government that succeeded him within the bounds of the 1992 Constitution.

“In this regard, whatever doubts his commitment to democratic rule became attenuated and earned him a legacy of contributing to the sustenance of democratic governance of our country till his demise,” it said.

Former President Kufuor expressed condolences to Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings, the children and the larger family.