Rawlings uses public departure to US

Accra, Sept. 17, GNA - Former President Jerry John Rawlings on Sunday evening had to use the public departure lounge at the Kotoka International Airport on his way to the United States.

This followed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' withdrawal of courtesies normally accorded the Former President.

For the first time, former President Rawlings had to travel without security escort and without Batman and, therefore, had to carry his own luggage.

Speaking to newsmen at the Airport, Former President Rawlings said the withdrawal of the courtesies would not in any way lower his status, adding that he had always identified himself with the ordinary man.

"I rather feel privileged using this place. It does not bother me at all," he said.

The Former President was full of admiration for the refurbished departure lounge, saying; "this is the work we started."

He also visited the duty free shop and interacted with some workers on duty at the Airport.

Asked whether he made derogatory remarks about President John Agyekum Kufuor and his government when he visited Nigeria, the former President said he was only responding to questions by the Nigerian Press and news items they read on the Internet about Ghana.

He said he spoke on a wide range of issues including the Dagbon crisis, the "suffering masses and the fact that President Kufuor's administration is not performing creditably".

When the newsmen inquired from Mr Victor Smith, his Special Aide, whether the former President had been barred from using the VIP, he said the tone of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs letter implied that, so they did not want to be embarrassed.

The Former President had been invited by the Nigerian Vice President Alhaji Abubakar Attico to Washington to speak on HIV/AIDS. Other participants to the conference include former US President, Bill Clinton and his wife Hillary.