Former President Jerry John Rawlings has indicated that persons within the governing National Democratic Congress financially induced the leader of the GCPP, Dr. Henry Lartey to vilify him.

Decrying the decaying culture of respect in society, he wondered why every attempt was being made to deliberately misrepresent and sully his reputation.

The former President was interacting with some queenmothers who called on him at his office in Accra last week Tuesday.

The traditional leaders were concerned by the negative attacks channeled at former President Rawlings, mostly from members of his own party.

Mr. Rawlings made reference to the widely publicized $2 million gift he received from late Nigerian president, Sani Abacha when both were heads of state. He singled out Dr. Henry Lartey who is the flagbearer of the Great Consolidated Popular Party for waging “vile stuff” against him.

Dr. Lartey had petitioned the Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO) and Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) to probe the $2 million gift, which Mr. Rawlings has not denied receiving.

“The perpetrator of corruption is walking about free,” he told Onua 95.1 earlier this month, calling for a legal action against the ex-president. “We will fight them and fight until they come out with the truth and the truth will be judged by the courts.”

But Mr. Rawlings appears bitter because Henry Lartey was being influenced by persons in a party he founded.

“About three days before his drama I got information that he was going to be financially rewarded for what he did and incidentally he was instigated not by people in the opposition.”

Lie detector and traditional way

Former President Rawlings indicated that he was ready to face off with Dr. Lartey in all fronts including the use of a lie detector or go traditional way.

“Why are people worried about the level of integrity we’ve tried to maintain? We say we are Christians; we swear on the Bible, Muslims on the Qur’an; I’d like to invite people like him (Lartey) that we go traditional as well.

“That we invite the white man’s technology (lie detector) to also come and verify the truthfulness, the integrity of my word. And for him to be simply asked who paid him to do what he did?” Mr. Rawlings urged.

Meanwhile, former President Rawlings has expressed his deep gratitude for the visit and concern shown and asked the traditional leaders to call for a free and fair election to guarantee the peace.

The Queenmothers, led by Mamaga Noviode of Sogakope also included Nana Akyembaku Mansa from the Central Region, Nana Ama Serwaa from Ashanti, Nana Akua Gyasiwaa from Eastern, Mamaga Maamele from Klikor in the Volta Region and Abesewaahemaa Nana Afia Gyamaa Pinsan.

Also present at the meeting were Reverend Professor Richard Lawson, a member of the NDC Council of Elders as well as Adams Guma, former District Chief Executive of Walewale from 1992 to 1997.

______________________________________________________________________

Read also: Rawlings must be probed – Henry Lartey

_______________________________________________________________________

Source: Isaac Essel|3news.com | Ghana