Rawlings Returns Home From Algiers

Former President, Flt. Lt. Jerry John Rawlings has returned to Accra after attending the World Congress of Peace and Solidarity in Algiers and the World Summit on HIV/AIDS in Barcelona, Spain.

The Algiers conference deliberated on issues ranging from violence and conflicts, their prevention, the role of the civil society in peace building and globalisation.

A statement issued from his office in Accra said Flt. Lt. Rawlings, in his contribution, stressed the need for ensuring the rule of law and justice in society and noted that there is the tendency for governments emerging without an umbilical link with society, to become detached from the people they seek to help develop Justice, he emphasized, serves to anchor the stability of society.

He urged world leaders to speak the truth at all times about what is going on globally as this will help resolve the varied problems confronting mankind. The conference was opened by President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, head of state of the Democratic People’s Republic of Algeria. The former President later had private audience with President Bouteflika at the Presidential Palace and also attended a special event to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Algeria’s independence. He was accompanied by his wife Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings and special aide, Mr. Victor Smith.

In Barcelona, Former President Rawlings participated in a panel discussion on the HIV/AIDS scourge at the invitation of the United Nations. The Barcelona meeting was jointly closed by President Mandela and Clinton.