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Rawlings denies Ghana coup plot Rawlings denies Ghana coup plot
(7 days later)
Ghana's former President Jerry Rawlings has dismissed claims by his successor, President John Kufuor, that he has been trying to solicit funds for a coup.Ghana's former President Jerry Rawlings has dismissed claims by his successor, President John Kufuor, that he has been trying to solicit funds for a coup.
Mr Kufuor told a by-election rally last weekend that Mr Rawlings had asked an unnamed oil-rich country for money.Mr Kufuor told a by-election rally last weekend that Mr Rawlings had asked an unnamed oil-rich country for money.
Mr Rawlings, who twice seized power in 1979 and 1981, said he was "astounded" by the accusation.Mr Rawlings, who twice seized power in 1979 and 1981, said he was "astounded" by the accusation.
When he stepped down at the 2000 polls it was the first peaceful transition of power since independence 50 years ago.When he stepped down at the 2000 polls it was the first peaceful transition of power since independence 50 years ago.
The BBC's Will Ross in the Ghanaian capital, Accra, says the country has subsequently been seen as an example of democracy working in Africa.The BBC's Will Ross in the Ghanaian capital, Accra, says the country has subsequently been seen as an example of democracy working in Africa.
'Whitewashing''Whitewashing'
Addressing the press under a massive tree in his garden, Mr Rawlings was typically outspoken as he responded to Mr Kufuor's allegation, our reporter says.Addressing the press under a massive tree in his garden, Mr Rawlings was typically outspoken as he responded to Mr Kufuor's allegation, our reporter says.
He described it as a sign that Mr Kufuor was panicking and said he had had to bite his lip when he heard it.He described it as a sign that Mr Kufuor was panicking and said he had had to bite his lip when he heard it.
"For a few seconds I was astounded. I was wondering, 'Where is this coming from again?' And I almost used a certain word to describe the man, but thankfully I held it to my chest," he said."For a few seconds I was astounded. I was wondering, 'Where is this coming from again?' And I almost used a certain word to describe the man, but thankfully I held it to my chest," he said.
A statement from Mr Rawlings said the president's claim was "a perversion of the truth" to salvage the image of the government.A statement from Mr Rawlings said the president's claim was "a perversion of the truth" to salvage the image of the government.
Our correspondent says it was no surprise that Mr Rawlings used the occasion to launch a tirade against the current government which he accused of being corrupt and had reversed the progress made when he had been in power.Our correspondent says it was no surprise that Mr Rawlings used the occasion to launch a tirade against the current government which he accused of being corrupt and had reversed the progress made when he had been in power.
He lambasted countries like the United States and the UK and international media, accusing them of ignoring the problems like corruption in order to paint Ghana and Mr Kufuor as success stories.He lambasted countries like the United States and the UK and international media, accusing them of ignoring the problems like corruption in order to paint Ghana and Mr Kufuor as success stories.
"They keep quiet as if to keep his image whitewashed. If Ghana fails, they cannot use Ghana as a showcase for the rest of Africa. Do you understand?" he said."They keep quiet as if to keep his image whitewashed. If Ghana fails, they cannot use Ghana as a showcase for the rest of Africa. Do you understand?" he said.
Many Ghanaians will hope for some form of reconciliation between President Kufuor and his predecessor, but for now at least that seems highly unlikely, our reporter says.Many Ghanaians will hope for some form of reconciliation between President Kufuor and his predecessor, but for now at least that seems highly unlikely, our reporter says.