Minister-designate for Lands and Forestry, John Peter Amewu has apologized to Jerry John Rawlings for claiming the former president helped the New Patriotic Party in its electoral gains in the Volta Region. Mr Amewu who is the Volta Regional Chairman of the NPP was reported to have praised Mr Rawlings for his support in ensuring low voter turnout in the December 7, 2016 general elections to the advantage of the NPP.
He was reported to have also said Mr Rawlings called him during the campaign season; a claim the former president denied and demanded an apology for the “untruthful and absurd claims” At his vetting Tuesday, a member of the Appointments Committee, Sampson Ahi, sought to know from Mr Amewu how he managed to get Mr Rawlings to help the NPP maximize the fortunes of the NPP. Mr Amewu answered by saying he was misquoted and would want to leave the matter at that.
However, member of parliament for Tamale Central, Haruna Iddrisu, pushed further stating the comments by Mr Amewu “might have lowered” the standing of Mr Rawlings, hence sought to find out if he would apologize should he get the opportunity. “Let me use this opportunity to render unqualified apology to His Excellency Jerry John Rawlings,” Mr Amewu told the Appointments Committee.
He said he never called the former President as was reported, adding “What was attributed [to me] was that he [Rawlings] called. I never said he called me Mr Chairman”.
Credit: 3news.com
