Veteran journalist Kweku Baako Jnr has reopened public discussion surrounding the long-standing controversy over allegations that former President Jerry John Rawlings took several state vehicles after leaving office in 2001.

In a social media post titled “Did President Kufuor Ever Accuse Rawlings of Stealing 19 State Vehicles Upon His Exit from Government? Fact or Fiction?”, Kweku Baako referenced a viral video in which the late former President lamented what he described as maltreatment by the administration of former President John Agyekum Kufuor after he exited power.

According to Kweku Baako, the resurfaced video has reignited public debate and criticism directed at the Kufuor administration regarding its treatment of Rawlings after nearly two decades in office as Head of State and President.

The seasoned journalist noted that questions continue to linger over the exact circumstances surrounding the controversy, including how many official vehicles Rawlings retained after leaving office and whether claims made by both sides were factual or exaggerated.

“This is not the first time the alleged maltreatment of former President by the Kufuor Administration has been brought to the frontburner of public discourse. And might not be the last time.

“However, what exactly were/are the issues? Did the late former President's lamentations really transpired? Which part of his lamentations were factual? And which ones were fictional? Or were/was it a mixture of both?

“And what might have occasioned the heated public controversies about how many cars Mr.Rawlings took away from the Castle/Presidency to his private residence for his private use upon his exit from Government in January 2001? For now, I shall be compiling and recollecting the raw and hard facts per official communication and exchanges between the two sides involved in the alleged saga of maltreatment during the Kufuor Administration,” he said in a social media post on May 16, 2026.

As part of his post, Kweku Baako shared copies of official correspondence exchanged between officials of the Rawlings office and the Presidency during the Kufuor administration.

One of the letters, dated February 26, 2002, and signed by Victor Smith, Special Assistant and Director of Public Affairs in the Office of former President Rawlings, listed seven state vehicles being returned to the government.

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The letter also requested permission for Rawlings to retain several other vehicles for his personal and household use. Among the vehicles mentioned were Toyota Land Cruisers, Opel Omegas, a Toyota Crown, and Volkswagen Transporters.

Another letter, dated August 12, 2002, from then-Chief of Staff Kwadwo Mpiani, reminded Rawlings’ office that under Article 68 of the 1992 Constitution and recommendations by the Greenstreet Committee, a retired President was entitled to only one chauffeur-driven vehicle provided by the state.

The letter further stated that former President Rawlings still had several state-owned vehicles in his possession and requested that all but one be returned immediately.

Kweku Baako indicated that he intends to continue publishing details and official records related to the controversy to establish the facts behind the long-running public debate.

Read the full post below:



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