I will continue to criticize Mills - Kufuor

Former President John Agyekum Kufuor has highly commended President Mills, Vice President John Drama Mahama, and the Founder of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Jerry John Rawlings, for honouring the invitation sent to them in connection with the launch of the much publicised John A. Kufuor Foundation.

According to him, when he sent the invitation letter to President Mills to grace the launch of the Foundation at the University of Ghana, Legon, and the dinner at the State House, he (Mills) made him understand that he would not be in the country during the period.

He, however, assured him that Vice President Mahama would fully participate in the programme.

Ex-President Kufuor was happy that President Mills kept to his promise, as Vice President Mahama, after he (Kufuor) and his guests had paid a courtesy call on him at the Castle, turned up in the evening to chair the dinner, which was part of the programme.

In the case of ex-President Rawlings, Mr. Kufuor said he met him at a programme organised by one of the diplomatic missions in the country, and he assured him, he (JJ) would honour the invitation, which he did.

President Kufuor, who was speaking on Adom FM on Friday , however, said showing appreciation to the President, his Vice and Mr. Rawlings did not mean that he would no more criticise the NDC government.

According to him, he would always criticize President Mills and his government in a constructive way that would serve the interests of the country. He made reference to the popular Akan adage that says:

"The one who is clearing a path would not know that the path is crooked, unless his or her attention is drawn to it,’ and noted that certain things may be going wrong, but the President would not know unless his attention was drawn to it.

Mr. Kufuor also noted that since he and Mr. Rawlings are coming from different political backgrounds, they would always differ on issues, but that should not lead to animosity between them.

When Mr. Kufuor was in office as President of Ghana, Mr. Rawlings subjected him to several attacks. The NDC founder, at a point in time, referred to Mr. Kufuor as ‘Atta Ayi,’ a notorious armed robber who maimed and killed his victims.

Kufuor also responded by describing Mr. Rawlings as ‘Sasabonsam’ or Lucifer. Former President Kufuor told his listeners that he would always pray to ensure that the friction between he and his predecessor would not get to that level again.

Mr. Kufuor also spoke against the politics of insults that had characterised the political discourse in the country, warning that it could lead to anarchy, if not controlled. He advised Ghanaians not to vote for any political party or individual that indulges in the politics of insult, to curb the emerging trend on our political scene.

The former President thanked the media for the massive support given to his foundation. He noted that most of the announcements and commentaries about the launch were not paid for, and that he was highly appreciative of the massive support.

He, however, advised the media to stop giving credence to the Wikileaks report, because it contained half truths that cannot be substantiated. According to him, the people who made comments in the cables have come out to deny them.

He, therefore, wondered why Ghanaians should still be laying emphasis on it, to destroy the reputation of those who are being accused of wrongdoing.

About a week ago, the former President expressed similar concerns about the leaked America diplomatic cables when he spoke to Metropolitan Television (Metro TV) in Accra, warning that the allegations could not stand the test in any court in Ghana, and that those using it as a political tool must stop.