RAWLINGS 'SEEKING FUNDS FOR COUP' !

Jerry Rawlings was president for 19 years. Ghana's President John Kufuor has accused his predecessor Jerry Rawlings of trying to solicit funds for a coup.

Mr Kufuor told a by-election rally that he had credible intelligence reports that Mr Rawlings had asked an unnamed oil-rich country for money. Mr Rawlings seized power in 1979 and 1981 but stood down at the 2000 elections, in which Mr Kufuor beat the candidate of Mr Rawlings' NDC party.

The former president has not commented on the allegations. Ghana is generally seen as one of the most stable countries in West Africa. Mr Kufuor was re-elected in 2004. He was speaking at a rally ahead of Tuesday's by-election in Offinso South constituency.

BBC NEWS REPORT.