Rawlings debunks alleged bad blood with Mahama

Former President Jerry John Rawlings has debunked rumors that there is bad blood between him and the Flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama.

He said a recent image [that went on viral on social media] purporting to show disagreement and negative discourse between him , Mr. Mahama and two others at a funeral was a mischievous attempt to create disaffection.

Former President Rawlings said this when he signed the book of condolence for the late Mrs Victoria Adzagli Ametefee, wife of Volta Regional Chairman of the NDC, Mr. Henry K. Ametefee, who died recently in Ho.

He said he was nursing an injury from a parachute false landing several years ago , adding that the accident has resulted in chronic pain in a sitting position.

According to him, the discomfort of sitting for long hours compels him to occasionally use an orthopedic foam to manage the pain.

Former President Rawlings said because of that discomfort, he adjusted his seat at the funeral for some relief and not because he had issues with former President Mahama.

“I actually turned towards Mr Mahama more than three times and where is that picture? Why did this intruder refuse to circulate my sitting position adjusting myself towards Mr. Mahama but chose the opposite…what purpose does this serve anybody… more so when I cannot go to all places armed with the foam?” he asked.

Former President Rawlings asked Ghanaians to ignore such negative publicity for parochial reasons.

“This is a clear case of misrepresentation of facts,” he added, saying, social media and its power should be harnessed towards constructive nation-building and forging social cohesion and not planting discord.