Former President Jerry John Rawlings has responded to reports in the media that his absolute silence about recent reports of alleged corruption under the Akuffo-Addo led administration is due to the benevolence he enjoys from the office of the chief of staff of this government.

In a statement released by the office of the ex president, it stated that the President has enjoyed the unflinching support of all past government except that of former President Kufour.

Adding that the former President cannot be bought by some largesse and is someone who always speaks his mind on issues.

Full statement below:

The attention of the Office of former President Jerry John Rawlings has been drawn to a publication in the Friday, August 23, 2019 edition of your newspaper headlined, “Rawlings Confirms Receiving Goodies From Presidency”.

While acknowledging your attempt to inform the public about the former President’s charitable endeavours, we find it unfortunate and distasteful, the inference that owing to the support of the Chief of Staff’s office, the former President has remained silent on the many ills in the Ghanaian society.

It will interest you to know that the former President’s charitable gestures which are well documented, have received the support of past government Chiefs of Staff with the exception of President Kufuor’s. By virtue of his political nature and what he stands for as well as being the most accessible former President, he is literally inundated with requests for help. It will be blind of most governments to be unaware of the burden of these requests.

To conjecture that any form of support has the potential to influence the former President’s thought process is absurd. Former President Rawlings often speaks his mind and it is inappropriate, incorrect and inaccurate to make such unfounded conclusions from a statement released from our office on a presentation made to a former National Democratic Congress Member of Parliament who has dedicated most of her life to the good of her society.

Yours Sincerely,

Kobina Andoh Amoakwa (Executive Secretary)