Rawlings debunks The Chronicle story

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

The front-page headline of your story, authored by Agnes Ansah and 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 above-named reporter and paper 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 your reportage as false, derogatory, unprofessional 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 expect an equally publicised retraction and apology from The Chronicle.

Failure to take the necessary action will leave us with no option but to seek legal recourse.

Yours Sincerely

Kobina Andoh Amoakwa (Executive Secretary)

Editor’s Note:

Contrary to what this rejoinder is saying, The Chronicle has no intention of maligning or embarrassing Former President Rawlings and his family. Thanks to the BBC documentary, ‘Sex for Grade’ has become a topical issue being discussed in the country at the moment, with people of good repute condemning it.

When the former president, therefore, decided to comment on the subject, we decided to give it a maximum publicity because his position on national issues carries weight.

We, therefore, decided to couch our head line from the following comment that Mr. Rawlings made whilst commenting on the issue, “So, if you can fail, you see what I mean, what they have done, I am saying my daughter was also a victim of as far back as what you call it ….”

There was no malice intended, however, if our headline was not what Mr Rawlings wanted to say, we say ‘we are sorry’ and subsequently retract and apologise to him and all those who feel offended by the headline.