Smarting under recent public criticism and scolding by a judge over alleged contemptuous comments, former President Jerry Rawlings politely turned down entreaties from journalists to comment on yesterday's sessional address delivered by President John Agyekum Kufuor.

Rawlings said he feared his candid opinion about the address might be construed as an attempt to "prejudice the mind of the general public in a certain direction."

The ex-President, who attended the programme, (his first as ex-President) in the company of his wife, Nana Konadu, however intimated he would make his comments known after both Parliament and the general public have thoroughly debated the address.

"I can't comment. I would comment only after the sessional address has been subjected to debate by Parliament and after comments of the general public have been sought. I don't want what I say to be construed as trying to prejudice the mind of the people in a certain direction."

Media personnel numbering about 20 defied a no-comment fiat earlier issued by Special Assistant to the ex-President, Victor Smith, and quickly scurried towards Rawlings, minutes after the programme ended.

Rawlings was making his first public appearance after nearly escaping a date in court in contempt related charges over comments he allegedly made on cases pending before the courts involving former ministers in his government.

Justice Kwame Afreh, an appeals court judge sitting as an additional high court judge, scolded the ex-President over his remarks and warned him never to comment on cases pending before the courts.

The former President, who sported a calm demeanour during the five odd minutes the interview lasted, was however a different person altogether in the chamber of the House.

He relapsed into a rather uncharacteristically pensive mood during the two-hour time frame the sessional address lasted.

His body language was difficult to gauge but in most times he sat gawking, deep in thought and showed little emotion.

Nana Konadu was also in a cool mood but more relaxed than her husband.

When his 20-year stewardship came under scrutiny during the President's address, Rawlings appeared unruffled, not squeamish but visibly uneasy.

Kufuor's criticism centred on the private sector, public perception about the Castle, the rule of law, the management of the economy over the past 20 years.

President Kufuor had argued that the lack of prudent management on the part of the previous administration was the sole reason behind his decision to lead Ghana to access the Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative.