Former President Jerry John Rawlings made his first public appearance since he handed over to President Kufuor at a State Banquet held in honour of the visiting Ivorian President, Laurent Gbagbo last night.

With his imposing Charisma and perhaps in a conciliatory move, the Former President captured the lenses of many photographers who were present, as he engaged in hearty conversations and warm embraces with guests such as the National Security Advisor, General Joshua Hamidu, who during the term of the Ex-President, went into exile in the United Kingdom, and returned shortly before the year 2000 elections.

Another personality who caught the attention of Flight Lieutenant Rawlings was the Minister of Tourism, Madam Hawa Yakubu Ogede, who was an independent Member of Parliament during the first Parliament of the fourth Republic and who for want of a balanced House was a thorn in the flesh of the National Democratic Congress.

Ex-President Rawlings won the applause of guests as he went up-stage to pay his courtesies to President Kufuor, Vice President Aliu Mahama, the Ivorian President Laurent Gbagbo and other guests on the high table.

The Banquet attracted a large number of guests from diverse backgrounds. President Laurent Gbagbo leaves Accra for Kumasi today where he will be the guest at a durbar to be held in his honour by the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II. He is expected to leave Accra for Ivory Coast this evening.