Rawlings would be treated better if... - Kufuor

President John Agyekum Kufuor has reiterated his call on former President Jerry John Rawlings to operate within the laws of the land to attract the respect befitting a Statesman.

"I would like to repeat what I said about President Rawlings and my retirement. I said I would treat Rawlings the way I would like to be treated when I leave office, provided he lives within the law," he said.

President Kufuor made the call in reaction to a question on his relationship with the former President at the second in the series of news conferences at the Castle, Osu. He said though he did not feel that he was on contest with former President Rawlings, the latter's conduct often created unnecessary tension and gave the impression both internally and to our friends outside that two factions were in conflict.

President Kufuor said President Rawlings was expected to display qualities of a true Statesman for national interest. He said, "it has been my wish to have a better relationship with Former President Rawlings. We have only been obliged to operate within the Green Street Report in terms of his resettlement, but I would not mind stretching the terms to make life more comfortable for him so long as he is within the law."

President Kufuor who insisted on referring to Mr Rawlings as President, when his attention was drawn to it that he was calling the former President, President Kufuor said, "I am not above the law and I do not expect anybody to be treated as if he were above the law, but Mr Rawlings is not being mistreated by the government."

Supporters of Mr Rawlings have often expressed concern about what they termed as "mistreatment of the man who ruled Ghana for about 20 years, but critics have said the ex President's provocative statements, now referred to as "Boom Speeches" attracted that kind of reaction, often published in the media.

The main thrust of President Kufuor's 40 minute address was, however, on the State of the economy, agriculture, social services, infrastructure, governance and foreign relations.

Similar to the first Press conference held on April 18, last year, President Kufuor, was flanked by Vice President Aliu Mahama, Ministers of State, Parliamentarians and some executive members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).