Don't use Rawlings' name to publicise NDC events - Rawlings

The office of former President Jerry Rawlings says neither he nor his wife, Nana Konadu, has been invited to a planned rally of the Greater Accra National Democratic Congress. The office is therefore cautioning organizers of the rally and other events to desist from using their names to publicize those events. A statement issued Thursday afternoon by the office said it has “noted with concern a creeping culture of using the name of the former President to publicize events, particularly NDC related even when he has not been invited or confirmed attendance.” “We have taken particular note of extensive publicity on the forthcoming rally of the Greater Accra Regional NDC at Mantse Agboena in which the media has been erroneously informed that President and Mrs. Rawlings have been invited to the attend. “This office wishes to inform the general public that it has received no invitation on behalf on President Rawlings. The only communication we have received from the Greater Accra NDC in the past few weeks is a letter dated February 21 and received on February 24 which requests the former President to grant audience to the Regional Secretariat to introduce parliamentary candidates for the 2012 elections. No mention is made of any rally in the said letter. “We wish to state that there are clear procedures for inviting President and Mrs. Rawlings to events. Individuals or organisations are required to send formal invitations in writing or seek audience to present their requests. None of the above has been brought to the attention of this office as far as the rally at Mantse Agbona on March 17 is concerned. “Once an invitation is received President and Mrs. Rawlings reserve the right to accept or turn down the invitation and it is only then, can the organisers choose to publicize their attendance.”