Victor Gbeho
The Office of late former President Jerry John Rawlings has dismissed a publication by myjoyonline.com stating that the Anlo Traditional Council has apologized over the confusion that surrounded the organization of the former President’s funeral.
A rejoinder issued by Kobina Andoh Amoakwa on behalf of the Funeral Planning Committee, said
“The Committee wishes to make it clear that the report as presented by myjoyonline.com is an unfortunate and reckless misrepresentation.”
It would be recalled that the family of Mr Rawlings visited President Nana Akufo-Addo at the Jubilee House on Thursday, February 18, 2021, to thank the state for giving him (Rawlings) a befitting burial.
Below is the full rejoinder
PRESS RELEASE
February 19, 2021
RE: ANLO TRADITIONAL COUNCIL APOLOGISES TO AKUFO-ADDO OVER CONFUSION DURING RAWLINGS’ FUNERAL
The attention of the Funeral Planning Committee of late former President Jerry John Rawlings has been drawn to a publication on myjoyonline.com stating that the Anlo Traditional Council has apologized over the confusion that surrounded the organization of the former President’s funeral.
The report quotes the Chairman of the Funeral Planning Committee, former Foreign Minister, James Victor Gbeho as speaking on behalf of the Anlo Traditional Council.
The Committee wishes to make it clear that the report as presented by myjoyonline.com is an unfortunate and reckless misrepresentation.
The meeting with President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, which took place on Thursday, February 18, 2021 was convened at the request of the Funeral Planning Committee and the nuclear family of former President Rawlings to thank the President and Government for organizing a State Funeral for the departed former President. At no point was reference made to the Anlo Traditional Council.
Ambassador Victor Gbeho spoke in his capacity as the Chairman of the Funeral Planning Committee and spokesperson of the delegation that met with the President.
The expression of regrets over incidents that took place prior to the funeral of the former President were not for or on behalf of the Anlo Traditional Council.
Ambassador Gbeho did not attend the meeting as a member of the Anlo Traditional Council, never apologized on behalf of the Council and it is unfortunate that the reporter who posted the report failed to recognize the true constitution of the delegation and the actual references made at the said meeting.
The Funeral Planning Committee urges the general public to totally disregard the assertion that Ambassador Gbeho spoke on behalf of the Anlo Traditional Council. That was a figment of the imagination of the myjoyonline.com reporter.
Signed:
Kobina Andoh Amoakwa
(On behalf of the Funeral Planning Committee)
By Melvin Tarlue