Former president Jerry John Rawlings says West African governments' reaction to the recent outbreak of the deadly Ebola Virus is too slow.

Addressing visiting former Nigerian president, General Abdulsalami Abubakar and his wife Fati Lami, Mr. Rawlings said governments must step up their efforts and attach some seriousness to measures designed to bring the crisis under control.

Digressing from Ebola, Mr. Rawlings expressed concern about the challenges facing Ghana as well as the blatant display of hypocrisy by some of the countries in the West and their media in the handling of developments in Gaza and Ukraine.

The former President said while the global economic downturn is taking its toll, the fight against corruption is still one of the problems that confront Ghana and Africa.

“The government may be doing what it can,” he stated, “but quite frankly it needs to put in a little bit more effort.”

President Rawlings lamented the silence of the continent in the face of recent developments in Gaza and Ukraine. Not too long ago I believe the AU used to solidarise with the Palestinian cause but the current silence in the light of the way Israel has treated the Palestinians recently and the near collapse of the Non Aligned Movement mean it is impossible for a greater part of the world’s population to be heard.

          

General Abubakar is in Ghana to deliver a lecture at the University of Education, Winneba and receive an honorary doctorate degree alongside President Rawlings from the same university.

The former Nigerian leader said the doctorate degree by the UEW was an honour not only for him but also for Nigeria, stating he was more elated to learn that the university was also honouring his friend, President Rawlings.

            

Present at the meeting were former First Lady Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, Presidential Advisor Baba Kamara, UEW Vice Chancellor Akwasi Asabere-Ameyaw and Kofi Adams, spokesperson for Mr. Rawlings and Deputy General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress.