Rawlings treated Kufuor like ‘toilet paper’ – MP

Member of Parliament for Manhyia South says former President Jerry Rawlings treated his successor, John Kufuor, like “toilet paper."

Wondering why Mr Rawlings for a long time failed to comment on the country’s worsening economic crisis despite his (Rawlings’) harsh criticisms against the Kufuor and Mills administrations during similar circumstances, Dr Mathew Opoku Prempeh told Accra-based Asempa FM on Thursday that he was surprised it took the former Military Leader so long to speak on Ghana’s dwindling economic fortunes.

Mr Rawlings, after a long silence, recently conceded that “times were very hard” and bemoaned the rising cost of living.

Ghana is going to the International Monetary Fund as part of measures to infuse international confidence in her economy. The oil-producing country’s local currency, Cedi, has fallen by 23%, according to the Government. Inflation for the month of July also hit 15.3%. Fuel and utility prices have also been soaring on a regular basis.

The “harsh” economic conditions, caused Organised Labour to hit the streets with a series of demonstrations and boycotts, to force the government to fix the economy.

Dr Opoku Prempeh said in Thursday’s interview that it was good news for all Ghanaians that Rawlings finally broke his long silence on the country’s economic crisis, especially since he treated former President Kufuor as if he were toilet paper, and also, often took late President Mills to the cleaners at the least opportunity over similar concerns.