Rawlings' office speaks on Victor Smith's removal

The Office of former President Rawlings says it will not be cajoled into explaining why former aide, Victor Smith was axed from office, and cautions the media to be mindful of publishing spurious explanations of the incident.

In a press statement issued April 13 and signed by Dr. K. A. Caesar, the Office of the former President, said Victor Smith 'has worked for the former President for many years and we take this opportunity to thank him and wish him well in his future endeavours.'

The statement further described some of the explanations for Victor Smith's removal as bordering on absurdity and cautioned the media and public commentators to respect the dignity of President Rawlings, 'as he has not come out to give any official position on the rationale behind his action.'

Read full release below.

PRESS RELEASE

Victor Smith: Rawlings wishes him well in his endeavours

The attention of the office of Former President Rawlings, Founder of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has been drawn to various news reports and public statements about the removal of Mr Victor Smith as his special assistant.

President Rawlings wishes to take this opportunity to confirm that Mr Smith has been relieved of his duties.

Mr Smith has worked for the former President for many years and we take this opportunity to thank him and wish him well in his future endeavours.

This office understands and appreciates that news emanating from the former first couple is of major interest to the media particularly those for whom truth and crosschecking of information is an irrelevance.

We are thus not surprised at the different reasons and speculation as to why Mr Smith was removed from office. It is not unusual for the praise-singers of a particular party to use stories about the former President as a diversion from the myriad problems facing mother Ghana because of their eight years of misrule.

Some of these speculations border on absurdity and we wish to caution the media and public commentators to respect the dignity of President Rawlings, as he has not come out to give any official position on the rationale behind his action.

President Rawlings is of the opinion that the reason for removing Mr Smith is not a matter for public consumption and will not be cajoled into offering an explanation because sponsored rumour mongers are at it again churning falsehoods.

One story making the rounds is that Mr Smith lost his job because he managed to convince a Nigerian donor who wanted to give money to the NDC through President Rawlings to rather give it directly to Professor
John Atta Mills.

As Founder of the NDC it is absolutely ridiculous and devoid of logic for anyone to even imagine more so concoct such an allegation. This absurdity is completely false.

Managers of the various media have to appreciate that this matter is not a circus and they should be circumspect about what they publish and be cautious not to abuse their freedoms.

We are counting on the kind co-operation of all.