Rawlings Recalls His "Yor Ke Gari" Days Dares Dr. Mahama

Accra - President J.J Rawlings, last week took a trip down memory lane in an address to his Muslim audience observing the birthday of Prophet Mohammed and revealed that in 1983 when there was hunger in the country, things became so difficult for his family that they had to substitute "Yor" (beans) for meat.

In a speech monitored on an Accra F.M station, Radio Universe, he also attacked the flag bearer of the PNC, Dr. Edward Mahama, who he said had promised free medical care if he became President.

The President's love for "yor ke Gari" (gari and beans) dates as far back as his military days when he was an Air Force officer. Even when he was "broke" in those days and things were hard for him as an officer, he found solace in crediting "yor ke gari."

His gastronomic preferences has apparently had a dramatic shift.

Commenting on Dr. Mahama's promise he told his audience to go and line up at Dr. Mahama's clinic and ask for free medical care and see "whether he will not collapse." He opens his mouth and talks by heart.' Rawlings further challenged Mahama to come out boldly to dispute it.

Using "Cattle" and "Wakye" examples to explain the state of the economy to the Muslims, the president said that nobody goes into business to lose and that if you sell at a'loss in business you will automatically become bankrupt. He then linked it to the fall in the prices of gold and cocoa and how that has rendered the country bankrupt.

The President who is a patron of Ghana Wildlife Society also preached against cruelty on animals adding that cattle due for slaughter should not be subjected to cruelty and warned that: "As for that when we see you, we will arrest you straight away."

Touching on accusations levelled against Vice President Mills for his late reaction to flood victims of the North, Rawlings said the Vice President wasn't waiting for him before acting but was rather mobilising blankets, drugs etc.

He said Mills could have equally flown a helicopter to the North without any relief items, revealing that it was he (Mills) who organised the items that were sent to the North.