NPP on Rawlings' commendation of Pratt

(The Evening News) -- The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has described the commendation of Mr Kwesi Pratt, editor of the ‘Insight’ by former President J.J. Rawlings for his objectivity on national issues as very interesting which confirms the notion that the ex-President is a man who would do anything for political power.

In a statement issued and signed by its Press Secretary, Mr Kwadwo Afari, the party asked Pratt and all journalists not to be swayed by praises on objectivity which is today’s phrase for yesterday’s accountability. It said ex-President Rawlings’ latest statements contain signs that the reality of his commendation may be more than what it seems.

The statement noted that the NPP is aware that Mr Kwesi Pratt, a principled, consistent and predictive critic and journalist was haunted, arrested, jailed and tortured not less than 10 occasions by J.J. Rawlings and his NDC regime for his objective criticisms.

Mr Pratt, it must be noted, survived his persecutors and still lives to do what he loves to do best under the NPP government. Unfortunately it said the John Kugblenus and the Tommy Thompsons never survived an NDC administration that regarded all critics as enemies, the statement added.

It said the NPP is, however, grateful that after two years in opposition and in their hour of necessity, Rawlings and his NDC have realised that not all criticisms are biased and not all critics are enemies that in a free democratic nation conflict and criticism should be an accepted fact.

The statement further advised the media to be wary of Jerry John Rawlings and his NDC as they simply have no genuine appreciation of rule of law as we understand it or objectivity as we would define it”. The NDC does not believe in criticism. “A critic is to them a rival and an enemy to be eliminated before he eliminates you.”