RAWLINGS THREATENS TO SUE AFRICAWATCH

Parkinson’s disease is a progressive disorder of the nervous system that affects movement. It develops gradually, sometimes starting with a barely noticeable tremor in just one hand. But while a tremor may be the most well-known sign of Parkinson’s disease, the disorder also commonly causes stiffness or slowing of movement.

According to experts, in the early stages of Parkinson’s disease, one’s face may show little or no expression, or one’s arms may not swing when you walk. One’s speech may become soft or slurred. Parkinson’s disease symptoms worsen as your condition deteriorates over time.

The Africawatch Magazine, distributed in nine countries, does not shy away from controversies. In 2010, it incurred the wrath of Parliament by announcing a survey that ranked the performance of Members of Parliament.

Concocted stories

Its latest publication did not please the former President’s aide, Mr Kobina Andoh either who described the publication as an “absolute falsehood.”

“It is cast in bad taste and calculated to just sell a magazine that has very little credibility and thrives on sensationalism and not facts.

“This is something that is medical and you will need to speak to him or to his doctor or some close family member to verify. You don’t just go out there and throw things like that. It is totally unethical,” he said.

Describing the publication as intrusive, he said while the private lives of public figures were opened to scrutiny, it should not be about publishing concocted stories.

“What is the essence of the story? If you read the story itself, there is no iota of evidence to prove what they are saying apart from a chunk of the story giving details of what the disease is which is irrelevant to the issue at hand,” he said.

He also said it was impossible for doctors of former President Rawlings to throw their ethics into the gutters and tell lies about his health.

“Everywhere in the world, doctors have doctor-patient confidentiality and regulatory mechanism to protect the privacy of their patients.

“The magazine cannot come and throw dust in our eyes that for a personality of that level, his doctors are so reckless that they will be throwing around falsehood, “he said.

Africawatch response

Meanwhile, efforts to reach the Editor of the magazine, Mr Steve Mallory,  did not yield any results as email to him had not been responded to at the time of going to press.