Plot to assassinate Rawlings

Former president, Jerry Rawlings has apparently received information of a plan to assassinate him. The conspirators, who are said to have set camp in Togo, are also believed to be “sympathizers of the present government”.

The former president’s special aide, Victor Smith told the private-owned newspaper, “The Statesman” that the seriousness of the alleged plot and the “complicity” of security personnel of the state were underscored by changes in the security arrangement for Rawlings made last week and without his knowledge.

“If they start changing security personnel and not informing him what does that tell you?” queried Victor Smith, who himself is standing trial at an Accra High Court for alleged death threat letter he wrote to some local journalists. Smith said the information on the plot came to the office of the former president on Wednesday from an intelligence source in Canada.

The special aide said they have the names of the alleged assassins but was not prepared to reveal them. The government has responded by asking Ghanaians to dismiss the allegation of an assassination plot “with all the disdain it deserves”. Government spokesman, Kwabena Agyepong is reported to have said that Rawlings is just seeking to court public sympathy.

On the charge that NPP sympathizers are behind the alleged plot, the spokesman said there are more important things for the government to concern itself with. He accused the former president of trying to create an impression in the outside world that there has been no peace in Ghana since he left power. “This government wouldn’t sponsor terrorism or murder. Indeed, our record on human rights protection speaks for itself”.

Rawlings’ spokesman, Victor Smith said his boss is aware of strange activities around his Ridge residence in Accra. “Since the police officers around his house were changed last week, we have seen strange persons around the house in plain clothes, but they are soldiers and we know them. We’ve seen them”.

Asked whether or not the former president is worried and anxious, Smith said, “I wouldn’t want to reveal his feelings now, but he’s aware of the activities. I think he knows what’s going on”.

Victor Smith urged the president to protect the former president while refusing to report the alleged observations, reports and fears over Rawlings’ safety to state officials. His reasons being government officials would simply “dismiss it as not true if we report it to them”.

But he maintained that it is the responsibility of the state to ensure the security of the former president. “It’s their responsibility…the life of this man is their responsibility. They’re supposed to protect him”.

Mr. Smith warned that it would be a national disaster if the alleged assassination plot succeeds. While refusing to implicate the president in the plot allegation, Smith however, called on Kufuor to be more involved in keeping Rawlings safe and alive and against fatal threats that may come from some elements within the national security establishment”.

“We want the president to take control of the security apparatus, because some of his security agents are doing things and if you don’t keep your ears and feet to the ground, you’d be surprised by them”.

The government has responded that, “we are certainly on top of the security situation”. Speaking on the day of the military mutiny in neighbouring Cote d’Ivoire, the government spokesman sees the allegation of an assassination plot as a serious matter.

“We feel that if there are any genuine concerns that the former president’s life is threatened then they should let us know so that we take the necessary measures to beef up his security.

We want to assure the former president that we are going to protect him. We are there to protect him.”