The Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketia, has declared that the purpose of celebrating the birthday of the party’s Founder, Flt. Lt. Jerry John Rawlings, was to learn from his principles such as probity and accountability, punctuality, positive defiance, his belief in democracy and the need for a regular lifestyle audit.
Chairman Nketia said such a commemorative event was an opportunity to also to redefine our values as a nation.
“There is no country that has developed without national values. Today, for us in NDC we have something to talk about. But if you ask the nation, as a Ghanaian what are our aspirations, what are the things we believe in, what represents our code of conduct, we do not have. We can look at all our great leaders and the values they espoused. Even if it is possible let’s take the debate to parliament and define our national values,” he stated.
The party Chairman made the comments at a well-attended ceremony organized by the NDC on Sunday to mark the 78th birthday of the Founder of the party, President Jerry John Rawlings. He stated that it was necessary to define our national values so we can judge our leadership and citizens when they deviate from such values.
“I know that our Founder espoused probity and accountability. It does not matter where you are placed as a citizen. You must always remember that you have to account for your stewardship. Probity and accountability should not be understood to mean accounting for money. If it is a position of authority that you have been assigned, remember that there will be a day that you have to you have to explain and account to the citizens how you use that authority,” Mr. Asiedu Nketia said.
Touching on the principle of positive defiance espoused by the late President Rawlings, the party’s Chairman said what it meant was that if your senior is making a mistake you must stand up and state that such an action is wrong and you cannot be part of that, stating that if you do not listen to your conscience and decide to perpetuate that wrong you are equally liable even though it was a superior’s directive. He said it was necessary that our youth are made to appreciate that bold principle.
Asiedu Nketia touted President Rawlings’ democratic credentials stating that he committed himself to collecting views from all concerned before a decision was made. He referred to times when President Rawlings will go to Makola to consult with market queens and big traders to inquire if upcoming the budget was convenient or not.
The former President also believed in punctuality and belief in lifestyle audits, convinced that time was money. President Rawlings, Mr. Asiedu Nketia recalled always apologized when he had to be late for unavoidable reasons. We have to inculcate timeliness in our citizenry he stated. The party Chairman spoke about how those working for President Rawlings had to explain any extra income if he thought they were living above their means.
RAWLINGS FAMILY
Kimathi Agyeman-Rawlings who attended the event alongside her sister, Amina Agyeman-Rawlings, recalled their dad’s unflinching pursuit of real and meaningful participation of all Ghanaians in decision-making, culminating in the establishment of Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies which were enshrined in the 1992 constitution.
He added that: “As we mark this special day we are reminded of his vision for a better Ghana. His courage in the face of adversity, his passion for justice and his unwavering dedication to the welfare of the Ghanaian people all of which are enshrined in the directive principles of state policy under the 1992 constitution. Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, his leadership and legacy has left an indelible mark on our national history.”
Kimathi thanked the NDC for keeping his father’s vision alive and for remaining a beacon of hope and protective umbrella for the Ghanaian people. He expressed the family’s appreciation for the solemn event to commemorate President Rawlings’ birthday and prayed that his memory continues to inspire all to build a better Ghana.
LOVE FOR HUMANITY
Earlier, part General Secretary, Fiifi Kwetey, said President Rawlings was born for a great purpose. He said though like everyone, the late former President was not perfect, there was no one who was close to him who did not recognize the fact that his heart loved, people, loved his country and loved humanity. He recalled that President Rawlings often spoke about the sovereignty of the human spirit which he Kwetey believed was actually the sovereignty of the divine spirit that oozed through humanity.
Waxing spiritual, Mr. Kwetey said the emergence of President Rawlings was foreseen by many in as early as 1972 when they prophesied and saw in dreams that a young man would emerge to lead Ghana. He said right from the beginning, Rawlings stood for the resetting of the nation because he constantly appreciated and understood the soul of the nation.
“We went into the election of 2024 with the clarion call of resetting Ghana. If there is a time for us to understand the real reset mantra it must start with us, especially those of us in NDC. This the moment and this is the day that we should understand that,” the party General Secretary concluded.
Other speakers on the day were former Chief of Staff, Nana Ato Dadzie and Naval Captain Asaasie Gyimah. Present at the occasion included Alhaji Mahama Iddrisu, Chairman of the NDC Council of Elders, Chief Bawumia of the Council of Elders, Dr. Christine Amoako Nuamah and Madam Akua Sena Dansua.
Source: Newstitbits.com