Sex for grade: Rawlings denies Chronicle story; demands retraction

Former President JJ Rawlings has denied reports by the Chronicle newspaper that one of his daughters is a victim of ‘sex for grade’.

The paper in its Friday edition said Mr. Rawlings while expressing concerns over the practice in Universities, during a visit by executives GJA, revealed that his daughter was victim while studying for a law degree.

However in a statement, Mr. Rawlings said the report is false.

“While the former President spoke extensively about the scourge of the sex for grades issue, it must be noted that he never stated that his daughter was a victim of said misbehaviour. For the avoidance of doubt, he was very clear and adamant in clarifying that fact. It is irresponsible and bad journalism that the Chronicle chose to publish utter fabrications.

“Quoting him verbatim, former President Rawlings stated at the onset of the mention of his daughter that, “Actually I must admit that this thing has happened to one of my daughters before. It wasn’t to do with sex.”

The statement also called on the paper to retract the story.

Below are details of the statement

RAWLINGS’ DAUGHTER NOT VICTIM OF ‘SEX FOR GRADES’

The attention of the office of former President Jerry John Rawlings has been drawn to a publication in the Ghanaian Chronicle of Friday, November 1, 2019 which has received wide circulation in electronic and other media.

The front page headline of the story captioned “My daughter was a victim of “Sex for Grade” is a false and distorted rendition of what transpired when the National Executive of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) called on President Rawlings on Thursday October 31, 2019.

While the former President spoke extensively about the scourge of the sex for grades issue, it must be noted that he never stated that his daughter was a victim of said misbehaviour. For the avoidance of doubt, he was very clear and adamant in clarifying that fact. It is irresponsible and bad journalism that the Chronicle chose to publish utter fabrications.

Quoting him verbatim, former President Rawlings stated at the onset of the mention of his daughter that, “Actually I must admit that this thing has happened to one of my daughters before. It wasn’t to do with sex.”

We find the reportage of the Chronicle as false, derogatory and an attempt to draw non-existent inferences which are calculated to embarrass the former President and his family. The report is also an attempt to mislead members of the public into believing this fabrication.

We wish to caution all media houses who have carried that report to respectfully retract and remove such publications from their mediums.

Signed: