Member of Parliament for Korle Klottey, Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, has defended her late father, former President Jerry John Rawlings, against persistent criticism over his role in Ghana’s revolution, stating that she will not disown her parents publicly or privately.
Speaking on the JoyNews podcast Talk No Dey Cook Rice, Dr Agyeman-Rawlings reacted to those who target her personally due to the legacy of the Rawlings era, describing such attacks as immature and cowardly.
“I will not publicly or privately turn my back on my parents because I know what they did,” she declared. “Sometimes, the loudest voice is not the most honest voice.”
Acknowledging that her father’s leadership during the revolution was not universally admired, the MP said much of the public perception was shaped by misinformation.
She noted that many of the accusations levelled against him had little to do with his direct actions.
“I’m not under any illusion that my father was loved by everyone. There has been a lot of misinformation,” she said.
“As a leader, he decided that he would let the buck stop with him. A lot of things people accused him of had nothing to do with him, but he took it all on because that’s what leaders do.”
Dr Agyeman-Rawlings also suggested that some individuals with intimate knowledge of the truth behind key events in Ghana’s political history have remained silent, choosing not to correct the public record.
“There are people who know the actual truth we are still alive today but for reasons best known to them, they’ve kept quiet about what they know to be the truth about a lot of things that happened,” she said.
She highlighted that her father had publicly acknowledged the excesses of the revolution and had offered apologies on several platforms, including for actions carried out by individuals operating outside his awareness.
“On multiple occasions, my father apologised for the excesses of the revolution including on behalf of people who did things he was not aware of,” she explained.
Turning her attention to personal attacks, the MP condemned what she described as the tendency of some individuals to attack her simply because of her father.
“In a society where people feel they must have a swipe at the child of someone because of their disdain for the parent, I’m not quite sure it shows some level of maturity. I am very conscious of that.”
“I have no respect for people who are cowards. If you have something to say, own up and say it’s you. Own what you’ve said,” she added. “I don’t appreciate people who feel they should be callous just because they can.”
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