Rawlings fired for indiscipline at Mills’ funeral

A section of Ghanaians have passionately expressed their displeasure at the way and manner former President Jerry John Rawlings allegedly breached protocol during the burial service of late President John Evans Atta Mills on Friday.

Mr. Rawlings, according to media reports, on Friday grossly breached protocol orders and directives when he moved away from the premises, after the late president had been interred, instead of waiting for President John Mahama to do so before.

Consequently, many Ghanaians through radio programs and social networking sites, including Facebook, have expressed serious reservations over his conduct.

Whiles some branded his action as indiscipline and one that ridiculed the presidency in the eyes of the international community, others said it was time authorities called him to order.

One Kwesi Amoah, contributing to a programme on Prime Fm in Accra on Saturday said: “I watched the ceremony on TV and what Mr. Rawlings did was so appalling, and at a point I felt embarrassed because there was an earlier announcement for everybody to wait until the president move before.”

He continued that gradually the former president was carving a bad name for himself, stressing, that could destroy his enviable legacy in Ghanaian politics.

Kwesi’s feelings, were however, echoed by lots of the callers who phoned-in to contribute to the numerous radio discussions in the capital.

“Even though I am a strong NDC supporter and believes in the ideals of the ex-President, what happened on Friday was very bad, to say the least.

How can you (referring to Mr. Rawlings) decide to ignore a directive from the emcee and move away? In fact, his office must come out to apologize to the entire nation,” a lady, who gave her name as Esi asserted.**