Rawlings off to Caracas; laments Chavez loss

Ghana’s former President, Flt Lt Jerry John Rawlings left Accra on Wednesday for Caracas, Venezuela to pay his respect to the fallen leader of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Hugo Rafael Chavez Frias.

President Rawlings had a good relationship with Hugo Chavez and described his loss as a huge blow to Africa and the rest of the developing world.

During his trip to Nigeria last week, the former Ghanaian leader lamented the failure of African leadership to show open sympathy on the passing of the Venezuelan leader and wondered whether they were frightened of Western reprimand if they took decisions to openly commiserate with the people of Venezuela.

The former President said he was disappointed that flags did not fly at half-mast in African countries for a man who had bridged the gap between South America and Africa and also defended his African credentials at every opportunity.

President Rawlings said Hugo Chavez defended the rights of Africa and developing countries by promoting policies in the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) that supported development in less endowed countries.