The Minister-designate for Lands and Natural Resources John Peter Amewu has apologised to former President JJ Rawlings over his claim that the NDC founder called him on phone following the victory of the New Patriotic Party in the 2016 elections.

The NPP regional chairman had praised the former Ghanaian leader for helping the party emerge victorious in the December 7 polls, especially in the Volta Region.

He claimed Mr. Rawlings contributed to the low turnout of voters in the Volta region, an area considered the stronghold of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC).

However, the former President in a statement said the claims by Mr. Amewu were untrue.

“To make such untruthful and absurd claims of a follow-up telephone call which can easily be verified is foolhardy, imprudent, unbecoming of a political actor who is supposed to lead with integrity and absolutely disrespectful to former President Rawlings,” the statement said.

Responding to questions over the matter before the Appointments Committee of Parliament Tuesday, the minister-designate said he had already initiated measures to apologise to the former President.

“Processes are on course to apologise to him ( Rawlings). I will take the necessary measures to apologise to him but I never said he called me personally,” he noted .

Upon further push from the Minority leader Haruna Iddrisu, Mr Amesu said ” I apologise to former President Rawlings for my comments”.