Mills' death: Group slams Rawlings for "distasteful" comments

Some civil society groups have chided former President Jerry John Rawlings for some "distasteful" remarks he made in the wake of President Mills' death.

The former President told the BBC in an interview that late President Mills’ death could have been avoided.

Mr. Rawlings who has been a harsh critic of the former President insinuated that the president would have lived a little longer if wise decisions were taken some months ago.

He added that “It was quite a shock to both my wife and I because he’s been battling the cancer for quite a while but this is certainly the wrong time for him to go because we have elections around the corner in December”.

But the convener of the Forum for Governance and Justice, Dr. Clement Apaak in an interview with XYZ News said the comments of former President Rawlings were distasteful and unfortunate.

"I find it rather distasteful and quite contrary to our traditions and cultures as Africans when he suggests that if our President had taken a wiser decision perhaps he could have lived for an additional six to eight months.

"I think that certainly it raises a lot of questions because if he knew that our late President could have benefited from wise counsel and he didn’t offer that wise counsel, then he has a responsibility of explaining to the good people of Ghana why he didn’t offer the said wise counsel".**