Dr Philip Lamptey, an aide to Alfred Oko Vanderpuije, Chief Executive Officer of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA), has described as unfortunate the treatment meted out to Mr Vanderpuije by former president Jerry John Rawlings as the two made their way to Parliament House for President John Mahama’s last State of the Nation Address Thursday, 5 January.

In the short video that went viral on social media, Mr Vanderpuije, who is also Ablekuma South MP-elect, was seen approaching Mr Rawlings in obeisance but as he attempted walking along with the former military leader and starting a conversation, the founder of the National Democratic Congress stopped momentarily and gestured at Mr Vanderpuije in a manner that suggested that he wanted to be left alone.

But speaking on this matter in an interview with Emefa Apawu on Class91.3FM’s 505 on Thursday January 5, Dr Lamptey said: “It is unfortunate. What happened was unfortunate. I am not sure anybody in the party will be happy unless somebody who is not prepared to support the party to come back to power.”