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Lecturer criticizes Rawlings’ attack on Hannah Tetteh

According to the former president, Ms. Tetteh rudely left the summit because he insisted that the Vice President, Kwesi Amissah-Arthur should read the keynote address on behalf of the President instead of the minister.

Flt. Lft. J.J Rawlings

A Political Science lecturer at the University of Ghana, Dr. Evans Aggery Darko has indicated that the President of Ghana, John Mahama can delegate “anybody at all” to represent him at a particular function.

Former president John Rawlings scolded foreign minister, Hannah Tetteh for walking out of the just ended Conference of the World Mayors in Accra on Monday. According to the former president, Ms. Tetteh rudely left the summit because he insisted that the Vice President, Kwesi Amissah-Arthur should read the keynote address on behalf of the President instead of the minister. The last-minute arrangement, saw the minister who was earlier chosen by the president to speak replaced by the Vice-President, Amissah Arthur.

Mr. Rawlings claims it was wrong for the minister to deliver the address when the vice president was around.

But Dr. Aggrey Darko asserts that the president can decide who represents the country at any event. According to him, a lot of factors go into the choosing of a delegation. He indicated that the particular meeting or the profile of the people involved or possible opportunities arising out of the meeting, can influence the choice of a representative.

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He stated that the conference could “open avenues for business transactions” between Ghana and other countries and that could mean that the foreign affairs minister was the appropriate person to represent the country.

Dr. Aggrey Darko remarked that Mr. Rawlings might have chided Ms. Tetteh “out of frustration”, however, he embarrassed the country. He indicated that Ghana is aiming to be one of the "good boys in the international system" hence such a "bizzare" incident should be avoided.

Meanwhile Ms. Tetteh has debunked Mr. Rawlings’ claims that she walked out of the summit. According to her, she left the conference at a time when the vice president arrived and was ready to take over the duties she was assigned to early on.

“Admittedly I didn't tell all the people I had previously greeted that I was leaving, but I felt it wasn't really necessary to announce my departure & explaining to everyone the reason why as the program was already running very late & I was sure the focus would be on getting started. Now how is that disrespectful?", she wondered.

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