Tony Aidoo Denies JJ

Former Deputy Defence Minister and strong Rawlings loyalist, Dr. Tony Aidoo has said that he will not hold brief for former President Rawlings's recent 'order' to the men and women of the Ghana Armed Forces to arrest President Kufour and his ministers on allegations of corruption.

Dr Tony Aidoo, whose pronouncement on the matter has come as a shock to Rawlings and National Democratic Congress (NDC) loyalists was speaking on a Accra-based FM radio station morning show yesterday.

In Dr. Tony Aidoo's view, anyone who makes such a remark “creates a situation where Government looks at you with suspicion.” He again alleged that former President Rawlings fell into a trap when he made that pronouncement some three weeks ago, claiming that there has been too much hype on Mr. Rawlings. “He fell into the trap unfortunately,” Dr Aidoo said.

Former President Rawlings had made the rather careless charge on the armed forces to arrest President Kufour and his ministers at Dadiesoaba in the Brong Ahafo Region some three weeks ago and followed it up with another equally inflammatory pronouncement at Nkoranza that Ghanaians should expect another revolution.

Dr. Tony Aidoo's implied admission that Rawlings made the said pronouncements contradicts attempts and statements by some Rawlings loyalists in the media that he (Rawlings) never made that call at Dadiesoaba.

Answering questions from the host of that show, bordering on national security (obviously) following recent media reports from within and without the country of an imminent mercenary attack in the build up to this year's elections, Dr Tony Aidoo stated that anyone who makes such pronouncements opens himself up for suspicion by Government.

He however sought to say that there have been attempts by Government and the media to “demonise Rawlings.” He also alleged that former President Rawlings has been provoked too many times and cited what in his estimation amounts to provocation of the former President.

Dr. Aidoo claimed that since Rawlings left office he has been unjustifiably accused of travelling to buy sophiscated arms. He also said Rawlings has been accused of buying bullet-proof cars when he has not bought any such cars. He charged that one of Rawlings cars was attacked some seven weeks ago and wondered where the security that is supposed to be provided for his person by Government is. Dr Aidoo accused Government of demonizing Rawlings and orchestrating to get the international community to ignore him.