Former President Jerry John Rawlings has commended President Akufo-Addo for approving the payment of $45,000 to former World Boxing Champion, David Kotei, popularly known as D.K. Poison.

This followed the airing of a Joy Sports’ documentary, The Boxing Loan detailing issues surrounding the 45-year-old debt.

The documentary put together by Nathaniel Attoh, preceded chains of stories on The Multimedia Group’s platforms to raise awareness about the situation.

This was after the former world champion and his lawyers had sent a petition to the Presidency in September 2019 asking that he be paid back the money he loaned to the state.

His lawyers had argued that, D.K. Poison had willingly given the money to the Ghana Government over four decades ago, out of his fight purse for the importation of essential commodities, during a rather harsh economic period.

He has since demanded a refund to no avail.

Subsequently, a letter signed by the Secretary to the President, Nana Asante Bediatuo, directed the Finance Ministry to ensure that the money is paid to the 78-year-old D.K Poison.

The letter, copied to the Vice President, the chief of staff, Minister for Youth and Sports, the National Sports Authority, and the Ghana Boxing Authority president as well as D.K. Poison himself indicated that the amount will be paid on compassionate grounds.

This Mr. Rawlings deems as commendable.

In his letter, signed by Kobina Andoh Amoakwa who is the Communication Directorate at the Office of the former President, the sportman was urged to use the funds judiciously.