Rawlings tasks US to re-examine multi-party democracy

Ghana’s former President, Flt Lt Jerry John Rawlings, has in a meeting with the outgoing United States Ambassador to Ghana, Gene Cretz, commended the United States for its contribution and commitment to support the fight against terrorism in Nigeria and some of its neighbouring countries.

Flt Lt Rawlings also thanked Ambassador Cretz for his service in Ghana and wondered whether the United States should not be re-examining the practice of multiparty democracy in some parts of the world, especially Africa.

Ambassador Cretz is returning to the United States on retirement, having served in Ghana since August 2012.

At the meeting on Tuesday, the former President said the United States’ announcement of a 5 million dollar pledge to help fund a multinational force to combat “the slaughterheads” (Boko Haram) was very commendable.

The meeting also discussed the political situation and state of multiparty democracy in Ghana.

Ambassador Cretz suggested that the current political dispensation required reforms and supported discussions raised by civil society on the winner-takes-all concept. He indicated that it was time to move on to the next stage of Ghana’s political evolution.

President Rawlings and Ambassador Cretz also discussed issues on the global front, including the political situation in Egypt as well as the United States’ role and responsibility as a global power.

Present at the meeting were Robert Carlson, Political Chief at the American Embassy, former Foreign Minister, Victor Gbeho and Nana Fredua Manuh, an investment consultant.