Former Member of Parliament (MP) for Ningo-Prampram, Enoch Teye Mensah, says the accusation by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) that the government has hijacked preparations of late Jerry John Rawlings' burial is baseless.

Speaking on Adom FM, Monday, Mr Mensah said Rawlings being the first President of the Fourth Republic deserves a befitting burial.

“The confusion the NDC is trying to cause is unnecessary. When Nkrumah died, the Convention People’s Party didn’t bury him, he was a statesman and the State took over.

“For me, I think the NDC’s argument is a non-starter. Let’s call a spade a spade and allow the government to bury the late former President,” he added.  

His assertion follows comments by the General Secretary of the NDC, John Aseidu Nketia in an interview, that the incumbent government is trying to hijack the funeral of the founding father of the political party.

“Everything about this funeral, so far, depicts an attempt by an opponent to hijack the funeral of the founding father of our political party, and we don’t think the funeral of our party founder ought to be organised somewhere, and we get invited,” he said.

But Mr. Mensah insists President Akufo-Addo has no intention of hijacking the burial of the late former President.

“I think Akufo-Addo means well. He said Rawlings is the Founder of the Fourth Republic and the First President and so the State would have to give him a befitting burial.”