The absence of the former President Jerry John Rawlings at yesterday?s Wahala part four demonstration in Kumasi continues to generate public discussion. Whilst opponents of the march contend that the former president might have avoided the demonstration in anticipation of a cold reception by residents of Kumasi, others believe the former president did not attend because he did not want to be trapped in any scene that would be used to shift attention from the on-going public discussions on the purchase of a hotel by the president.

But according to the special Assistant to former president Rawlings, Mr Victor Smith, Rawlings attended to other previously arranged engagements, though he declined to give details on the said engagements.

Mr Smith said everything the former president wanted to say was channeled through the former Ashanti Regional Minister Ohene Agyekum. He said once Prof Mills and other high ranking members of the CJA were going to make it he sent his apology through them to enable him attend to other pressing issues.

According to Mr Smith, the absence of Mr Rawlings at the demonstration should not be the issue but rather the on-going debate on the alleged acquisition of a hotel complex and the serious allegations leveled against President Kufuor by Gizelle Yajzi. He backed calls for the setting up of a public enquiry into the matter to stop speculations on the matter.?

The president has misconducted himself and a public enquiry must take place to put some sanity into our body politics?. The special assistant continued that this saga presents itself as a good opportunity to enable us text our constitution.

?Ghana should take the lead to bring democracy to stay in Africa other than people taking arms to overthrow a government?