The November editions of the Africa watch magazine has one or two stories which should drive home a lesson to all politicians – old and young ones, The lesson? – watch your tongue.
One of the articles has a quote from a former African-American Congressman, William L. Clay, “This is quite a game, politics. There are no permanent enemies, and no permanent friends, only permanent interests.”
The three-page article (pages 14, 15, and 16) reminds its readers of instances that ex-president Jerry John Rawlings had called Nana Akufo-Addo and ex-President J.A. Kufuor, thieves.
“The many verbal attacks by Rawlings against friends he has fallen out with and people he perceives as “enemies” have been legendary. For example, concerning Akufo-Addo , here are some of the things Rawlings has said in the past against him:
In November of 2008, before an NDC rally in Kumasi, Rawlings lashed out at Akufo-Addo in front of the Asantehene, otumfour Osei Tutu II, at the Manhyia Palace, saying: “Whether Prof. Mills or that short man, what is his name, Nana Akufo-Addo, the electorate should watch against politicians who fabricate deceit and lies, and rather vote for the one who is imbued with integrity to lead the country.”
“That short man,” who was then relaxing in his home in Accra, took that insult on the chin, but his non-retaliation did not encourage Rawlings to stop degrading him further. In fact, ten months before the Kumasi insult, Rawlings had verbally attacked Akufo-Addo in January of 2008 while speaking to NDC supporters gathered at the workers’ club of the Ghana Consolidated Diamond Ltd at Akwatia in the Eastern Region. “The NPP are bringing a thief (Kufuior),” Rawlings exclaimed, adding that there was “no difference between the two.”
Rawlings went further to say on the day: “The NPP leaders are a bunch of thieves; they are greedy and very selfish. They have looted the national coffers and see how they are shamelessly flaunting their wealth around in the midst of humiliating conditions of the majority of the people.”
Former First Lady, Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings, did not also spare Nana Akufo-Addo.
“Talking encouragement from her husband’s insults, Konadu Agyeman could not resist the temptation to also have a go at Akufo-Addo. Whiles peaking to the NDC’s Greater Accra wing of the Tertiary Education institutions Network in Accra in July of 2008, Konadu Agyeman said: “Now, we have somebody [Akufo-Addo]…who is coming and is also saying he is a lawyer raining in France; it’s all a lie.
He did not go to any law school. He has been practicing in Ghana as a lawyer but he never went to law school. We cannot sit down for them to peddle these lies around.
Another aspect of the article states
Forked tongue at its worst
There may be no greater forked tongue talking in the world right now than the one in Rawlings month. Ghana’s former president has clearly forgotten that he once called Akufo-Addo a “liar” by including him in with the “politicians who fabricate deceit and leis.” He has also forgotten that he once called Akufo-Addo a “thief”.
Surely a credibility question must arise if you call somebody a thief in 2008 and then change your tune in 2017 and now call that same person “the most honest politician there could ever be.”
“A lot of the time he [Rawlings] sounds very hypocritical…I don’t think serious people should use him or accept him as a measure of righteousness in our society,” former President Kufour told Africa watch in an interview in 2010.”
Source: the daily dispatch
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Rubbish story. We are moving forward not looking back. Ben Epson come for your stone ingrained with FOOLISHNESS
God knows the heart of all men .I hope it is hinting them by now. No matter it is a political talk. Ever since I know of NDC for so many years they have been peddle of lies, fumble of money that has led the present day youth following their steps always lying and needed quick money.They should pit a stop to it else it will not help them.
Ben may be a bit out of the way by his article but we must all accept that delving into the past for a refresher always pays. We must watch our tongues and no matter how one regards JJ, he must take responsibility for his actions, in-actions and tongue. Jerry must learn to behave as a statesman to enhance his image.
WHY ARE SOME PEOPLE DRAWING DAGGERS AT BEN EPHSON? IT IS AN UNPARALLELED EDUCATION WHICH WE MUST ALL LEARN.YES! ITS GOOD TO FORGET AND MOVE ON BUT PEOPLE MUST ALSO WATCH THEIR TONGUE.RAWLINGS AND HIS WIFE BEING FEARFUL THAT UNDER AKUFO ADDO'S GOVERNMENT THEY MIGHT BE INVESTIGATED OF THEIR CRIMES AND ***barred word*** OF STATE PROPERTIES, USED THEIR TONGUE TO LAMBASTE AKUFO ADDO TO THE ELECTORATE SO THAT HE MAY NEVER ASCEND TO THE THROWN BUT LET ME REMIND YOU ITS JEHOVAH WHO APPOINTS NOT MEN.YES AKUFO ADDO IS PRESIDENT SO OUT OF THEIR UN SHAMING ATTITUDES AND BEHAVIORS THEY HAVE TO PRETEND TO LIKE HIM TO SAVE THEIR SKINS YEAH! AKUFO ADDO BEING TAKEN OVER BY THEIR FALSE LOVE IS TOO WEAK TO INVESTIGATE THEM YET A TIME WILL COME WHERE THEIR DEEDS SHALL BE JUDGED.ONLY TIME WILL TELL.
This Ben Ephon man is an 11diot fuuuuuu111. If the men have patched up their differences and now moving on isn't it a good thing? Ohh Ben, bribe taker Ben this article is complete r.ubish.
A time came in this country when somebody said Kuffour has stolen all the Gold from the country's reserve. He later said that is a political talk. However it is only a ***barred word*** that does not change his mind. What does this article want to achieve Mr. Ben Ephson.
Listen what the Bible is saying in the book of Habakkuk2:2-3 "then the Lord replied: write down the revelation and make it plain on the tablets so that a herald may run with it. For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it lingers, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay. In Micah 3:2e-4 it says "God will judge between many peoples and will settle DISPUTES for strong nations far and wide. They will beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks. A nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore. every man will sit under his own vine and under his own fig tree, and no one will make them afraid, for the Lord Almighty has spoken. I think that we should stop referring the past between Nana and our Former president and his family. Nana is a Christian and I believe that he has forgiven the former first family. Please let us pray for this journey of reconciliation to continue and let us emulate them. Nana has been saying " again in Romans 12:17-19 says"Do not repay anyone evil with evil. Be careful to do what right is right in the eyes of everybody. If POSSIBLE, AS FAR AS IT DEPENDS ON YOU, LIVE AT PEACE WITH EVERY ONE. DO NOT TAKE REVENGE, MY FRIENDS, BUT LEAVE ROOM FOR GOD'S WRATH FOR IT IS WRITTEN: " IT MINE TO AVENGE; I WILL REPAY SAYS THE LORD"..... The battle is the Lord
I'm surprise at this write. Is it indeed coming from a trained and educated journalist? I doubt. Read Matthew 16:18. Although Peter had denied Jesus Christ earlier Luke 22:54-62. Jesus still regarded him as the rock to build his church. Stop this dummmy and witlesss journalism and be wise
Ben Ephson, it is only a ffool who doesnt change his mind. So you expect the two to continue in that relationship else what is the purpose of culling this story from a foreign paper that has always published falsehood against Nana Addo, his Excellency? Ben u must grow up else nemesis will catch up with you.