Rawlings needs self-introspection – Baako

Source: myjoyonline.com  -  Editor-in-chief of the New Crusading Guide Newspaper Kweku Baako says former president Jerry John Rawlings must assess his views carefully before expressing them publicly.

He was reacting to Rawlings’ suggestions that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) would have lost the 2012 general elections had the late president John Atta Mills not died.

Speaking on Peace FM’s morning show ‘Kokrokoo’, the seasoned journalist said Mr Rawlings showed a lot of insensitivity with the comments he made about the late president and “needs self-introspection”.

He said considering the relationship Rawlings had with the late professor, any comment he wanted to make in relation to his death or his role in the party should have been measured.

Even if other members of the party said similar things and canvassed the idea that the professor’s death was going to give them votes and indeed in practice they sought to rationalise that, “it is not an excuse for President Rawlings to continue on this insensitive path,” he said.

Citing speeches read by the former president at various June 4 celebrations in the country, Mr Baako said Mr Rawlings is fond of making comments that seek to criminalise people without any real reason or evidence.

Managing Editor of the Insight Newspaper, Kwesi Pratt in relation to the former president’s comments said “people must stand up against Rawlings”, adding that the comments were unfair to the family of the late president.

Mr Baako in agreement with this said if Mr Rawlings has a problem with the NDC and the way the affairs of the party are being run, there are appropriate ways of criticising them without stepping on toes.

“He must go under a process of sober reflection and realise that he can communicate what he wants to say without the way he goes about it. He must heal himself.

“Rawlings can say whatever he wants to say without drawing any sensitive cords into the picture. He does not know how to communicate properly and in so doing he hurts emotions”.

He advised the former president should “know who and what he is and this should inform what he must say when and how”.