Asuma Banda to Rawlings – Kufuor commands respect amongst top echelons; learn from him

• Posted on January 4, 2014
• by Nana Kwesi Coomson
• Comment

Business man Asuma Banda has advised former President Jerry Rawlings to emulate the statesmanship of his successor John Kufuor.

The Antrak Air Chairman said Mr Rawlings could use more tactful and diplomatic means to admonish President John Mahama rather than taking him to cleaners in the media all the time.

According to Asuma Banda, Mr Rawlings must learn the statesmanship of Mr Kufuor, who, in his view, commands respect amongst the top echelons as well as rank and file of the main opposition New Patriotic Party due to his statesmanliness.

The former Council of State member’s counsel comes on the heels of Mr Rawlings’ recent chastisement of President Mahama’s appointments.

He said some of the President’s appointees are “not just correct and good enough”.

Speaking at the 26th Anniversary of the annual Samanpiid festival celebrated by Kusasis in the Kusaug traditional area of the upper east region, the former president said there was the need for President Mahama to reconfigure his Cabinet.

“I could not resist telling the President that some of his appointees are not just correct and good enough: some are the best and some are okay but I think it is important he makes better selection next time when he wants to do something about his government.”

Mr Rawlings also noted that: “When you have people who are not good enough your government looks vulnerable, your government becomes vulnerable but if you have tough good people who will stand by the truth and fight corruption boldly your government will not look vulnerable.”

Speaking in an interview with the Daily Graphic, Asuma Banda said unlike President Kufuor who has proven to be non-partisan in his public commentary after his presidency, Mr Rawlings is yet to shed off his political self.

-Radioxyzonline