Uproar over car for Mrs. Rawlings in UK

A GROUP of U.K. based Ghanaians led by Mr. Alex Asabre, Chairman of the erstwhile Democratic Movement of Ghana, have expressed their concern over the recent reception and facilities enjoyed by J.J. Rawlings and his wife at the Ghana High Commission in London.

Mr. Asabre is quoted to have asked the constitutional experts in Ghana or the Ghana Bar Association to see if there is any constitutional provision that allows Rawlings to enjoy certain facilities after his rule has expired.

According to Mr. Asabre, on April 6, this year, he called on the Ghana High Commissioner and asked him if it was true that there had been a switch of cars from Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene to Rawlings’ wife because he had heard it on a Ghana FM Radio in London during a debate, as people were unhappy about the event. The Ghana High Commissioner, however, could not give an answer. Mr. Asabre, therefore, asked him to go to the Ghana FM Radio and deny or confirm the allegation. Mr Kpodo did not.

“What I want to tell Chris Kpodo,” said Mr. Asabre, “is that, as career diplomats, we know that the NDC staff are still in the system or are still operating in most Ghanaian Missions abroad but they must serve the government of the day and stop leaking vital information.”

According to Mr. Asabre, when Otumfuo Nana Osei Tutu II came to London to address the International Cocoa Conference, the Mercedes car which was supposed to have been allocated to him for use was suspiciously withdrawn and given to Rawlings’ wife. Another car was rather given to Otumfuo.

According to the statement, Otumfuo, in his capacity as a king on his ambassadorial mission seeking investment from all over the world for the benefit of Ghana, he is not like an ordinary person who goes round on his own or personal business.

“We are therefore asking the Foreign Minister, to allow Otumfuo to be received anywhere he visits because whatever objectives his missions have will benefit all Ghanaians,” Asabre said, adding that, “Since Rawlings’ business at this time that he is no longer in government will not after all benefit any Ghanaian, we do not see why he should be given preference over Otumfuo whose missions are of national interest.”