[ 2012-07-27 ]

Rawlings’ comments lacked custom-Dr. Akwettey
Former president Jerry John Rawlings continues to
receive deep backlash over an interview he granted
the BBC while in Congo, Brazzaville, over the
death of President John Evans Atta Mills.

President Jerry Rawlings said the death of
President John Evans Atta Mills could have been
avoided. Mr. Rawlings said although President
Mills had been battling with cancer for quite some
time, his death came at the wrong time because “we
have elections in December”.


“Quite frankly had he been advised and done
something wiser, he could probably have survived
another six, seven months I guess”, Rawlings told
the BBC.

However, Executive Director at the Institute for
Democratic Governance (IDEG), Dr. Emmanuel
Akwettey has told Joy Fm Thursday that
Ex-President Rawlings’ comments lacked custom.

Dr. Akwettey said the ex-president, although what
he said may be true, he (Rawlings) “could have
done the niceties of it”, by talking about it
later when the mortal remains of the fallen
president are laid to rest. “This is not the
timing, this is not the culture”, he stated.

He criticized Mr. Ralwings for failing to “respect
the sensitivities and sensibilities of the people
and the family" of the departed former president
who died while in Office.

Meanwhile, Dr. Akwettey has suggested that
political parties should demand full records of
the health conditions of people who aspire to
contest the high office of President on their
tickets, or ministers of state when they are in
government.

He said although national constitution does not
demand such, the political parties could adopt the
practice as an innovation to ensure their
candidates go through thorough medical examination
and are declared fit to run for national
positions.

Source - MyjoyOnline

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