Former President John Agyekum Kufuor says he has forgiven his predecessor Jerry John Rawlings after the latter staged “damning and unpalatable” attacks on his person recently.

Mr. Rawlings had told a public gathering of chiefs, “I know with my integrity when I die, I will go to heaven but when I see these corrupt leaders, I will ask permission from God and flog them”.

His diatribe was a direct reference to the other two living former presidents – John Agyekum Kufuor and John Dramani Mahama.

Former President Rawlings however made a quick u-turn, regretting his derogatory comments on his two successors, and apologised to them.

There has been a long-standing bad blood between Mr. Rawlings and kufuor.

Former President Kufuor on Monday stated that he has accepted the apology.

A statement issued by Dr. Kwabena Osei-Adubofour, a Senior Aide to him, said “despite that President Kufuor accepts the apology, he wishes to make it clear that:

“He has never divested any state property to himself or his family members.

“All the divestiture of state properties and enterprises that took place during his tenure in office was done legally and according to laid-down procedures, rules, and regulations, and to the utmost benefit of the people of Ghana.

“President Kufuor never tried to unduly influence the promotion or appointment into the security services, more so, based on tribe. Emphatically, in his government policies, he never used tribalism in serving the regions and tribes of Ghana.

“As to Heaven, it is only God who decides who goes there or not.

“Finally, as to the creation of the medal the Order of the Black Star and Eagles of Ghana, President Kufuor believes that it is the prerogative of the president of the state to make such a creation and he as such did so as the exclusive title of presidents when they attain that unique office. President Nkrumah had created all the others upon Ghana attaining independence.”