Rawlings restricts comments out of respect for Mills

Accra, June 10, GNA - Former President Jerry John Rawlings, out of respect for President John Evans Atta Mills, on Wednesday declined to make further comments after President Mills had commented on the visit to Ghana of Mr Louis Ayala, Secretary General of Socialist International.

"We want to welcome you and thank you for the honour done us," the former President said, and declined to give any further comments, explaining that there was no need for any further comments after those of President Mills, who had received the Secretary General earlier. Mr Ayala, who was in the country two years ago, is in Ghana at the invitation of the Chairman of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC), Dr Kwabena Adjei, to participate in the 17th anniversary of the Party.

President Mills and Mr Ayala discussed the use of the principles of social democracy to address the needs of the masses. When he called on former President Rawlings at his Ridge residence, Mr Ayala noted a number problems, including climatic change and the global economic downturn, and observed that the world was today in times of change.

He lauded the former President, as the protagonist of the political change Ghana was experiencing, and called for the change to be used in improving the lives of the people.