"I will like to be Osafo-Maafo's student" - Mills

Professor Evans Atta Mills, National Democratic Congress (NDC) Presidential Candidate on Thursday said he was prepared to be the economic student of Mr Yaw Osafo-Maafo, Minister of Finance.

Prof Mills said: "I am prepared to learn at Osafo-Maafo's feet so that he should mark my paper, announce the mark and he should not tell me that he cannot do so because he has no time."

Prof Mills holds PhD in economics while Mr Osafo-Maafo holds a Degree in Mechanical Engineering and several certificates in economic management.

Prof Mills was reacting to a question posed to him just after the President John Agyekum Kufuor had delivered his Third State of the Nation Address to Parliament.

The media wanted to know from Prof Mills what his reactions were when Mr Osafo-Maafo at a recent rally described him as an "Aplanke", a driver's mate after he had criticised the Finance Minister's economic policies on abortive one billion dollar IFC loan.

Prof Mills said: "I know Osafo-Maafo was under pressure. I sympathise with him I wish him well and I am not surprised that he called me that name.

"You see when you are under that kind of pressure and you mounted a political platform you can say what Osafo-Maafo said.