Accra (Crusading Guide) -- President John Rawlings’ decision to snub dignitaries at last Sunday’s opening game of the on-going Ghana 2008 tournament has attracted loads of criticisms from cross-sections of the public who believe that the former President’s absence was a good riddance.

The former President who was offered a VIP ticket by the Ministry of Education Science and Sports to watch the match from the VIP area, defied protocol arrangements and made his way to popular stands, where he chose to watch the match.

In reactions to some criticisms of the ex-president, Mr. Victor Smith, Special aide to the former President said it was simply a matter of choice so there was no reason for anyone to condemn his boss.

He said on Peace FM, that Mr. Rawlings was not a pretender and would therefore not sit close to President Kufuor to pretend as if all was well between the two of them. He further argued that there was no need for government to offer his boss a VIP ticket after depriving him of some protocol courtesies and treating him like an ordinary citizen of the land.

When the Crusading Guide contacted the Deputy Minister of Information, Mr. Frank Agyekum, for comment, he said he was very glad that Mr. Rawlings’ absence at the VIP area was not noticed by any of the dignitaries present. When asked if Sunday’s incident at the stadium would not affect the government’s image in any way, regarding the out-pouring members of people from the international community who were present in the country for the continental event, he answered: “nobody can blame the government for somebody’s decision, the man was offered a VIP ticket so if he chooses something else then we are not to blame.

Although the Deputy Minister said the event was a success, he conceded that it would have been beautiful if the former President had joined the dignitaries.

Interestingly, Professor John Evans Atta Mills, the NDC presidential candidate who is embarking on his campaign dubbed, “I care for you”, signifying that he was with and for the masses chose the VIP area over the popular stand for the match.