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Former president JJ Rawlings has commended the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, for his “highly educative address” at the UN General Assembly last week.
Part of the address, which mainly centered on peace, has received backlash from former president John Mahama after the King revealed he had to persuade him to concede defeat in 2016.
“At the conclusion of the last Presidential and Parliamentary elections, the country stood on the edge of disaster. The UN community and the diplomatic corps were aghast and alarmed that Ghana was about to slip down the slope of electoral violence. Fortunately, the moral authority of the Palace was at hand and we were able to intervene to persuade the losing candidate to accept his fate and to fly both candidates for a quiet encounter to pave the way for a smooth handover. These are the highest examples of the crucial roles behind the curtains when the moral force of traditional authority is harnessed to protect and sustain the peace, unity and security of Ghana,” Otumfuo told the UN General Assembly recently.
Mahama has rejected the claim, stressing he willingly accepted defeat.
“It is public knowledge that President Mahama willingly announced his decision to accept the outcome of the 2016 elections and congratulate Nana Akufo-Addo even before the official results were formally declared by the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission,” a former chief of staff during Mahama’s era, Mr. Julius Debrah said in a statement.
Reacting to the development, Mr. Rawlings is calling on Ghanaians to calm down and allow peace to prevail.
“The Asantehene has made us proud with a highly educative address to the UN on the subject of PEACE. Comments by former President Mahama on an aspect of the address shouldn’t elicit or provoke edict sounding threats. It’s unwarranted and unnecessary. There’s enough tension. Let’s cool it and cool off,” Rawlings tweeted.
The Asantehene has made us proud with a highly educative address to the UN on the subject of PEACE. Comments by former President Mahama on an aspect of the address shouldn't elicit or provoke edict sounding threats…. pic.twitter.com/KLuUZ1J73i
— Jerry John Rawlings (@officeofJJR) September 17, 2019
Source: Daily Mail GH
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