Former President Jerry John Rawlings has revealed that the fear of his children becoming emotionally broken should any unforeseen calamity befall him, prevented him from showering them with love when they were growing up.

According to the former military leader, his struggle for power made it difficult for him to have time for his children-a situation he used to his advantage.

Speaking to Counselor Lutterodt in an interview on TV Africa, the former President said as someone who was travelling around seeing to the affairs of the country, he was not oblivious of the dangers and risk he faced daily, hence his decision to avoid any emotional bond with his children.

He however applauded his wife, Nana Konadu Agyemang-Rawlings for her role as a pillar in their home during his time in office and for supporting their children.

“In the beginning I tended to avoid being that close to them. I did not want that emotional bondage or connection with them for fear that if something happens and I lost my life it will affect them. I didn’t want them to experience that shock so I deliberately kept away from them. But as things stabilized, it then become easier to get close to them and connect with them. I will always step back for Nana, she did a lot.”

Legally married in 1977, former president Rawlings and his wife have given birth to four children, three of whom are girls with the last being a boy.

His first born Zanetor Agyeman Rawlings is currently the Member of Parliament for Klottey Korle on the ticket of the NDC.