Former Botswana President commend Rawlings

Mr. Festus Mogae, Former President of Botswana on Monday praised Ghana’s past President, Jerry John Rawlings, for helping to entrench peaceful political transition in the country.

Mr. Mogae said he was convinced that the forthcoming Presidential and Parliamentary elections in Ghana would be peaceful, stressing that he had no sense of ‘trepidation’ about the conduct of the election process.

A press release from office of Flt Lt Rawlings issued and copied to the Ghana News Agency said Mr. Mogae made the statement in a meeting with President Rawlings at his Ridge office in Accra.

Mr. Mogae who was leader of Botswana from 1998 to 2008 was in the country to deliver a lecture on Credible Elections and Governance in Africa, under the auspices of the Centre for Democratic Development on Tuesday October 9.

It said the two leaders shared their thoughts on the violent mine workers strikes in South Africa with former President Rawlings expressing concern about the fact that “we have not seen or heard much condemnation” of killing of 34 miners by the police.

The release said President Mogae lamented the fact that South Africa was still going through a transitional phase following the apartheid era and criticised the striking miners who were wielding implements and had killed some police personnel and others before the deadly clash.

The two leaders agreed that the situation in South Africa was complex and urged their political leaders to confront the challenges in a holistic manner, adding that we must agree to disagree.