There was total confusion in Ghana's Parliament as Majority and the Minority sides clashed Tuesday engaged in debate over former president Rawlings's interview on BBC, in which he allegedly said there could be coup in the country if things continue the way they are currently.
The former president's interview was played on certain local stations in the capital and like the June 4 speech, the interview is also causing a lot of stir and attracting very harsh comments from the populace.
Foreign Minister, Hackman Owusu-Agyemang MP and deputy Minister for Tourism, Nana Akomea had told the House that Rawlings's interview with the BBC could create tension in the country.
Their comments followed a statement made by the NDC member for North Dayi, Ms Akua Dansua, on what she called irresponsible use of radio by sympathisers of the government.
The NDC member for North Dayi, Ms Akua Sena Dansua, in statement that heralded the trading of accusations, counter accusations and controversies, said there was a seeming threat to national security, unity and survival due to messages carried in the media, especially the radio. "Of late a section of the media particularly radio stations are being used by certain individuals and groups to fan political, tribal and violent sentiments among the citizenry."
She said: "Instead of focusing on issues that will accelerate the development of this country, certain people and groups motivated by prejudice and vengeance particularly against the previous political dispensations and its operatives are using the media to engage in activities likely to disintegrate the nation." The member called for immediate action to salvage the situation.
Nana Akomea said tribal politics was the trademark of the NDC and asked the member not to divert the peoples' attention from that fact.
He said ex-President J. J. Rawlings was the source of destabilisation and was even on record to have said that there would be a coup d'etat in Ghana.
Nana Akomea said the NPP government believes in the freedom of the media that was why it is in the process of repealing the Criminal Libel Law. "We believe that the media has the necessary organs to check itself. This is not the time for anyone to intrude into the operations of the media."
The Member for Gomoa West and former deputy Minister for Employment and Social Welfare, Mrs Ama Benyiwa-Doe said prominent members of government including Dr Amoako Tuffour have stated on radio (Peace FM) that all NDC members were thieves.
This assertion attracted shouts of "Rawlings said worse things!" from the Majority.
Deputy Minister of Presidential Affairs, Mr Edward Osei Kwaku, MP said the statement was unnecessary since there was no perceived or real threat to national security.
He said the media discusses national issues and have helped the ordinary Ghanaian to understand and contribute effectively towards national debates. The Member said ex-President Rawlings was the one, who through irresponsible remarks and threats, was trying to destabilise the country.
He disagreed with the Ms Dansua's assertion that there was a looming crisis in the system. "We do not see such crisis. We as a government are focused and sooner or later all Ghanaians would enjoy life."
Osei-Kwaku blamed the widespread of armed robbery on the past government's indiscriminate use and supply of arms.
Meanwhile almost all the newspapers in the country have devoted their frontpages to the interview granted by the former Ghanaian leader. The Ghanaian Chronicle reports that the former president has admitted that he feels insecure seven months after he handed over power to President John Kufuor.
According to Rawlings, recent reports that former dissidents and some of his colleagues who fled the country during his 19-years in office have returned and might pose a security threat to his life, are intended by the Kufuor administration to provide a cover to eliminate him.
He told the BBC that as a former president, he knows that governments can make and unmake evidence, adding that he has fears the media reports provide a platform for his elimination, which could then be blamed on the so-called dissidents. He claimed the Kufuor administration has all the tabloids on its side and that they are creating a subtle environment to eliminate him.
Rawlings alleged that the Kufuor administration has been terrorising people into a state of submission. He warned that though he would not prefer a coup or a revolt in Ghana, if the trend of arrests and alleged intimidation continues, there could be an overthrow of the new administration in a military coup
