You cannot threaten former presidents - Rawlings tells youth

Former President Jerry John Rawlings says it is wrong for any individual or group of persons to threaten former presidents.

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) founder in a Facebook post condemned the youth groups who have threatened former President John Dramani Mahama over the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II brouhaha.

“It is utterly inappropriate for a youth group, and other politically blinded persons” to have insulted the former President,” Mr. Rawlings opined.

He also urged John Mahama to settle his difference with the revered Ashanti king, to ensure peace and tranquillity.

“Fellow citizens, when the dust settles on the issue of President Mahama and Otumfuo, I hope we finally recognise how utterly inappropriate it is for a youth group and other politically blinded persons to send threats to a former president of the nation.”

J.J Rawlings finally called on the appropriate institutions to sanction the persons or groups who sent threats to the former president. “And I hope the youth will receive the appropriate reprimand at the end of it all.”

John Mahama and his former Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, were criticised by some youth groups in the Ashanti Region for denying the Asantehene’s involvement in then President Mahama’s decision to concede defeat in the 2016 polls.

Read Rawlings' full post below

Fellow citizens, when the dust settles on the issue of President Mahama and Otumfuo, I hope we finally recognise how utterly inappropriate it is for a youth group and other politically blinded persons to send threats to a former president of the nation.

I trust our loyalty to party colours has not blighted our traditional reverence for leadership.

Let us also hope that President Mahama will find a way of sorting this out with the Asantehene as he has offered to. And I hope the youth will receive the appropriate reprimand at the end of it all. - JJR