Former President Jerry John Rawlings has patched up with the Member of Parliament for Ablekuma South, Alfred Okoe Vanderpuije, barely 48 hours after he was snubbed on live television by the ex-president.
Mr Okoe Vanderpuije was left red faced by Mr Rawlings when the former approached him to exchange pleasantries on a red carpet at the Parliament House Wednesday morning. Former President Rawlings prevented Mr Okoe Vanderpuije from walking side by side with him into the Parliament House where they were attending the last State of the Nation Address by former President John Mahama.
A video of the episode immediately went viral on social media, attracting mixed reaction with most people condemning the behaviour of the former president while others also criticised Mr Vanderpuije for breaching protocol. But in a surprising turn of events, former President Rawlings shocked the newly inaugurated members of parliament Saturday dawn when he moved out of his seat from one side of the chamber of the House to the other, to shake hands with Mr Vanderpuije.
For 40 seconds, former President Rawlings had a tête-à-tête with Mr Vanderpuije before he retired to his seat. Stunned by the gesture, some members of the minority side of the House gave a standing ovation to the former president amidst clapping.
Watch the video below
– 3news