Ghana’s Former President Jerry John Rawlings has described the emergence of Presidents Buhari of Nigeria and Akufo-Addo of Ghana as a divine intervention because of their respected anti-corruption credentials.
The former president said Ghana is fortunate to have somebody like Nana Akufo-Addo because of his principles and values.
President Rawlings, who spoke during a courtesy call on him on Friday by a group of actors, including renowned Nigerian actor Pete Edochie, underscored, ”People think I like that man to high heavens. No, but I respect him for certain principles and values and I will continue to pray and I sincerely hope that he stays the track and devote possibly over 30 percent of his time to fight corruption and corruptible tendencies.”
The actors are working on a film production based on corruption, and Mr Rawlings commended the production of the movie, which has been titled, ’Greedy Bastards’ for its important and valuable theme.
”I must congratulate you for what you’re trying to do. Let’s use some of these movies effectively. People are distorting historical truths all the time. When you find yourselves at the centre of human endeavours like I have, truth must be sacrosanct,” he stated.
Former President Rawlings, however, expressed misgivings over the removal and subsequent reinstatement of the head of a government department, who had been involved in questionable dealings.
He wondered whose political influence had been brought to bear on the appointing authority, stating that “that is why we have to pray for the president to stay the course.”
He added that, ”I am using very polite language because I am not unaware of what this particular Ghanaian has been doing in that department. He should have been thrown out, kept out and investigated but it appears somebody’s influence brought itself to bear and the decision was rescinded.”
Touching on Nigeria, the former president said it’s unfortunate that the cost of living appears to be suffocating the people.
“So while some are praying for his health, some are praying he wouldn’t come back,” he said in reference to President Buhari’s presence in the UK for medical treatment.
He said rather than blame Buhari, we should be blaming the extent and depth to which corruption had gripped Nigeria, adding ”But I guess you need a creative team that would know how to resolve the economic situation of the country without possibly undermining the cost of living of the people.”