I’ve made peace with the Rawlings’ - Haruna Atta

Ghana’s Former Ambassador to Namibia and Botswana, H.E Alhaji Abdul-Raman Haruna Atta has revealed that a family rift between him and the family of former President Jerry John Rawlings has long been resolved.

“We have united and we now live as a family. I don’t have any problem with them again and occasionally we meet and interact as a family”, he disclosed on UTV on Friday.

According to him, the reconciliation took place some four years ago during a marriage ceremony of his daughter where former first lady Nana Konadu Agyemang was in attendance.

“When it was time for the bride’s parents to speak, I called on all of them and told the guests that today is a happy day because one of our daughters is marrying and it is also a family union day. I want to take this opportunity to apologise to my elder wife and her family to forgive me if I have offended them in line of my duty as a journalist. I could see that most of them were seen shedding tears”, he revealed.

The veteran journalist said he waited for the opportune time to render the apology publicly because he did not want it to appear he did it under the cover of darkness.

He said he could not stand a situation where his profession greatly affected the relationship of Nana Yaa Agyeman, his wife who is a biological sister to the former first lady.

Alhaji Haruna Atta, on July 23, 1998, together with Abdul Malik Kwaku Baako were sentenced to a 30-day jail term by an Accra High Court, following a suit filed against them by Nana Konadu, wife of then sitting President, Jerry John Rawlings.

Mr Baako in 2008 said he Mr. Baako said he was still hurt and bitter about the issue and explained that the circumstance under which they were jailed was totally unnecessary.

“I would be dishonest if I say I have succeeded in forgiving her, even though the new faith that I am now pursuing has given me a greater sense of discipline and a more open heart; so maybe I am on my way to forgiving her but I would be dishonest if I say I have forgiven her.

But Haruna Atta said he has allowed sleeping dogs to lie.