Celebrating the 36th Anniversary of The December 31, Revolution (A Retrospect of PNDC, 1981 to 1992)
“Fellow Ghanaians, as you will notice, we are not playing the national anthem. In other words, this is not a coup. I ask for nothing less than a REVOLUTION-something that will transform the social and economic order of this country. Fellow citizens, it is now left to you to decide how this country is going to go from today. We are asking for nothing more than the power to organize this country in such a way that nothing will be done from the Castle without the consent and authority of the people. In other words, the people, the farmers, the police, the soldiers, the workers you - the guardians- rich or poor, should be part of the decision-making process of this country.” Flt. Lt. Jerry John Rawlings (December 31, 1981).
A Revolution
A revolution most often result in fundamental changes to socio-political power or organizational structures over a period of time. This maybe in a form of complete change from one constitution to another, significant modification of existing order, or a complete paradigm shift in socio-political and organizational structure of a society or nation. History is replete with Revolutions and is always characterised at the initial stage by violence and overthrow of an existing order.
Characteristically, revolutions arrive on the back of wide social breakdown, extreme suppression, and excessive corruption by people who have been entrusted with power to govern. A revolution is a process intended to achieve targeted objectives over a period of time.
Antecedents to December 31, 1981 Revolution
Since 1961, economic growth of Ghana was very unstable and unpredictable, fluctuating between negative and positive growth. The volatile economic instability made it difficult for any investment to happen in Ghana. In 1975 Ghana experienced its worst GDP performance which stood at -12.4% and GDP Per capita at -14.5%. As at December 31, 1981 GDP growth was -3.5% and GDP per capita growth -6.2%. Inflation under the Supreme Military Council Regime in 1977 was 116.45%, in 1978, 73.09%, and in 1981 under the PNP (Hilla Liman) was 116.50%.
Kalabule, the jargon for extreme corruption was prevalent. This act was championed by government officials and their associates which brought about untold hardship of the masses. The economy was out of control and the country was described as a collapsed State by some of the international donors.
Political administration of the country was paralyzed as the Hilla Liman led People's National Party (PNP) government due to political indiscipline, internal division and rancour, and a sabotage by parliament in refusing to approve the national budget submitted for parliamentary approval. This brought the government machinery to a standstill.
On December 31, 1981, a confederation of the military and civilian population led by Flt. Lt. Jerry John Rawlings, launched a revolution by overthrowing the Hilla Liman government. A government of Provisional National Defense Council (PNDC) was born to execute the ideals of the Revolution.
Major Socio-Political and Economic Changes from December 31, 1981 to January 7, 1993.
Economy
Faced with these extreme socio-political and economic challenges, the PNDC tinkered its original Revolutionary Socialist ideals with some liberal economic policies to stabilize the political-economy and to lay sound foundation for economic take of.
Sweeping economic reforms to revolutionize and to “structurally adjust and stabilize” the economic foundation were carried through the Economic Recovery Programme, (ERP) from 1983 to 1986. The financial sector was also declining and was mainly characterized by ceilings fixed for interest rates, credit guidelines for different sectors, ceilings fixed for credits etc. However, in 1987 the rules pertaining to minimum deposits as well as maximum deposits were abolished. The foundation for the liberalization of the banking, insurance, and financial investment institutions was established through the implementation of the Financial Adjustment Programme (FINSAP).
In addition, tax reforms were initiated which culminated in later years in the introduction of Value Added Tax (VAT of 10%) 1995 to secure government revenue base, which today funds most government public expenditures.
These economic recovery programmes liberalized the economy and positively impacted the financial sector, the agricultural sector, foreign direct investments (FDI), etc. By 1984 GDP rose to 8.6% though it declined to 3.9% in 1992, Ghana’s economy has since not gone back into negative growth since the revolution. By 1992, inflation that was 116. 5% was brought down to 10.1%.
Agriculture
The agriculture sector responded positively to these reforms. Cocoa production that was 246,500 tons in 1981 increased to 312,122 tons in 1992. Cassava production increased from 2,065.000 tons in 1981 to 5,655.000 tons in 1992. Other cash crops for export increased which boosted the country’s revenue generation. In recognition, the Farmers’ Day was instituted in 1985 to celebrate and award gallant farmers and fishermen whose output was about 30% growth in 1984.
The positives of the PNDC agricultural policy and programme extended to the National Democratic Congress (NDC) from which resulted in the recognition of Ghana’s Food Production Index of 148% for 1995-1997 as “the third highest achievement in the record after Jordan (157%) and China (156%) in the World Bank’s “1999-2000 Development Report.
Local government (Governance Structures)
The political administration of the country was overhauled as decision-making was “moved from the Castle to the people” through the People Defense Committee (PDC) system.
The governance structure which was overly top-heavy in decision-making was devolved through the People Defense Committee (PDC) system. When the Rawlings led PNDC established the People's Defence Committees (PDCs), a system of cooperatives, it became a unique move never before seen in Ghana's political economy, and was a precursor to the decentralisation policy of Ghana. The PDCs were established in every village, workplaces etc. For effective administration, it was structured in unit committees of 100 persons, zonal committees, and the assembly. This structure later formed the bedrock of the Local Government administration.
As one of the main political preoccupations of the PNDC, in January 1987, Jerry John Rawlings announced radical changes to be introduced in the local government elections. No cash deposits were required of candidates for district level elections, illiteracy in English was no longer a disqualification so as to accommodate non-English speakers in the District Assembly and to make assembly debates accessible to the majority of constituents, and District Assembly elections were to be nonpartisan. 110 district assemblies were created and in 1988 the first District Assembly elections were held. Education, infrastructure developments, and healthcare all devolved to the district level. Annual government subvention were mandated by law to the district. A system uncommon and unimaginable in many other African countries.
The PDC system created political awareness and politically empowered citizens which were denied them by previous governments. By implementing the decentralization concept, Rawlings inherently instituted a transition from authoritarianism to multi-party democracy.
Infrastructure and Others
The December 31, revolution carried out extensive reconstruction of the country. SSNIT housing projects were undertaken in all the Ten regions to house public sector workers, accessibility was facilitated by constructing roads to link and open up the northern sections of the country such as Brong Ahafo, Northern Region, Upper East and Upper West which were once ignored by previous governments. Pavilion structures were built in all the 110 districts to make basic education accessible to all and two secondary schools per district was initiated. Regional and District hospitals sprang up, and electricity that was ‘housed’ only in Accra, Kumasi, and Takoradi was extended to all parts of the country. Information accessibility was increased by extending Television coverage across the country.
Female entry and graduation rate at basic to tertiary education increased. For example, percentage of female graduates in tertiary education rose from 13.9% in 1981 to 24.4% in 1987. Though it declined to 21.5% in 1992, it has kept an upward trend since the birth of the Revolution.
Rural entrepreneurship among women was vigorously pursued by the PNDC government by empowering rural women, capacity building, and the establishment of cottage industry accross the country. The entrepreneurship drive among rural women was also championed on the other hand by the First Lady, Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings through her December 31, Women Movement. The rural women were also easy for political mobilization in support of the Revolution.
The Road To Multi-Party Democracy
After the reconstruction of Ghana which was the objective of the PNDC government, agitation for the future political direction of Ghana started to emerge. This compelled the PNDC government to begin the process to return the country to Multi-Party democracy.
After internal debates which centred on dissolving the PNDC to allow the two traditional parties (i.e. CPP, and NLM &PP traditions) to continue with the return to constitutional rule, the Cadres of the revolution (revolutionary organs and Rawlings fan clubs) insisted on forming a new tradition and a political Party that will protect the gains of the Revolution and underpinned by the principles of probity, accountability, transparency, and social justice. The principles that sustained the Revolution. The National Democratic Congress (NDC) was born out of this revolutionary progressive concept. The fourth republic was also born out of the Revolution.
The Political Stability by A Political Personality
The revolution would not have been successful had it not been characterised by the political stability that the PNDC government firmly established. Since the overthrow of Osagyefo Kwame Nkrumah, successive governments were changed through the barrel of the gun. The December 31 revolution put a stop to all coups which brought immense growth and benefits to the country.
As Chazan (1983) stated, Rawlings, unlike many other leaders in Ghana's history, subsequently led the country through the difficult years of economic recovery and succeeded in giving back to Ghanaians their national pride. “Without Rawlings' strength of character and unwavering determination, Ghana would not have survived the Economic Recovery Programs (ERPs) of the 1980s put in place by the ruling Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC)." Rawlings saw his leadership role to be that of a "watchdog" for ordinary people and he boldly confronted issues of incompetence, injustice and corruption.
Conclusion
After over two decades of multi-party democracy, the moral integrity and value systems that underpinned the modest gains of the revolution have fast eroded. Eventually, its corrosive impact on the physical (socio-political and economic) gains of the revolution is also being significantly felt by Ghanaians. Even the NDC that ‘evoluted’ from the Revolution has been battered with the ills of past that compelled the launch of the December 31, 1981 revolution.
NDC is at a crossroad to either decay, or to restore its value system of probity, accountability, transparency, and social justice which will significantly prop up its social democratic philosophy. The democracy of Ghana was born out the revolution and therefore has its tenets which are in the DNA of the NDC. Within the current NDC "It is rather unfortunate that there are still some of our brothers and sisters who imagine that the past decade can be wished away; simply as an uncomfortable dream and that the new constitutional era, will inaugurate a period of “business as usual” with all the negative practices of the past. These ladies and gentlemen should stop whistling in the dark and realise that they may be condemned to repeat history if they ignore its lessons". Capt. Rtd. Kojo Tsikata (1991)
Some Ghanaian do like the idea of democracy but want to forget the revolutionary origins of democracy, we cannot sanitize democracy without its struggle, without the masses, and without ordinary people. (paraphrased) Kojo Tsikata, 1988.
As the NDC and the people of Ghana commemorate the 36th Anniversary of the December 31 revolution, it is imperative to be reminded of the history and identity of the NDC. It is an identity that has defined the character of the NDC and which has endeared it to the masses. Deviation thereof from these ideals will lead to rejection thereof by the masses. Once more, “we indicate our determination to alter the state of affairs inherited from the past in which democracy meant plenty for the rich; starvation for the broad majority, and a lack for sensitivity for the plight of the poor”.(Flt. Lt. Jerry John Rawlings 1989). Let NDC unite around the principles of probity, accountability, and social justice to reorganize so as to restore the value systems that are critical in the reconstruction of Ghana.
GOD bless the Revolution
GOD bless the NDC
GOD bless the people of Ghana.
Aluta continua!!
*The writer is a Governance and Policy Analyst, and member of the Central Planning Committee of the 36th Anniversary of the December 31 Revolution Commemoration.
Source: Kofi B. Kukubor
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Well my grand mum was picked up by soldiers, and her assets seized. I have zero hate for Rawlings, some ***barred word*** Soldiers took matters in their own hands. We are not Ashantis as some kokoasefo pple think they were the only tribe targeted. I think Ghana need another coup to shape up the system and take back whatevers been looted by our corrupt past and present government officials. Then i will set up a computerize software to make sure everything is recorded , failure to do so raises alarm. If found guilty oh lord have mercy trust me the culprit will beg to DIE. Trust no politician they all corrupt, i'm working on starting this coup and trust me my actions and agenda will be lauded by the masses and supported by the west. we've been taken for a ride for far too long. why why why can't all assemblies account for taxes and use it to develop their own municipality, anything short the MCE/DCE is brought to Accra to answer live on GTV or whatever, AMA will have no option but to be up and doing to keep all our surroundings clean. these are simple like 123456 but the ***barred word*** pot belly in the office want to buy trasacco, v8, etc..Why do people open their ***barred word*** mouth and say patronize Ghana made goods, you claim to wear african product yet wearing foreign made undies and using iphone''double standard'' wontumi spelly m3nchro. why cant we make our country a better place to avoid travelling overseas and treated as shiiiiiit when we're naturally blessed with everything. gold,oil,diamond,cocoa etc . chale we are on a time bomb coz me i'm sure if things dont change i will make a statement by going to parliament with a bomb , ***barred word*** the whole place up and leave a note that when am gone yall will know the system is ***barred word***'d up . the whites came here for our stuff to develop thheir country. why can't we develop our motherland for our future kids and unborn generations . p3s3kuminya is what breeds evil, arm robbery, killings, fraud etc , i don't mean everything will be rosy, atleast we'll be respected globally and when i travel and tell someone am Ghanaian i say it with pride and confidence coz am from the motherland blessed with everything. i'm saying this from my heart, america has nothing just influx of foreigners with businesses coz the system works. what about us ?? we're blessed with EVERYTHING . A politician will steal millions of dollars into an offshore acc. which ends up helping that country grow. Why do you think these Talibans keep bombing the west , coz they have an identity and religion to protect yet these americans want to show them what to do and how to live. chale make i end here b4 going way too deep.All i have to say is our leaders don't have a long term plan for our country , about time we wake up and believe in ourselves . that believe doesn't only lie on an individual but everything around us including our motherland. i swear Ghana is a beautiful country with lovely people . last thing make we make sure our borders are really up and running to check foreigners especially the nigerians, they ***barred word*** up everywhere they go, check global stats . they're like that coz of how they were brought up, evil, hate, greed name them. God bless my homeland GHANA.
Never. Just another coup d'etat
JJ is one of the biggest frauds and pretenders I have ever known. The whole June 4th and December 31st coups were instigated out of jealousy and hatred. What did JJ and his gang achieve, other than destroy businesses of Akan people (Siaw of Tata Brewery, Appiah Menka, Safo Adu, BA Mensah etc). But JJ time is still not yet up, since almost all the people did his criminal acts with are all dead (remember Kofi Awoonor)
THIS IS THE NEW NDC PARTY (NNDC). THE PARTY HAS BEEN TRANSFORMED AND RESTORED. THEY HAVE BEGAN THEIR JOURNEY TO THE CASTLE FROM HO. THE PARTY IS WINNING THE HEARTS OF MINDS OF THE PEOPLE again IN ANTICIPATION TO WIN 2020. IF THEY CONTINUE THEIR AGENDA AS STATED, THEY COULD EASILY WIN THE HEARTS OF MINDS OF THE PEOPLE IN 2024, 2028, AND 2032. POOR MASSES. POOR MASSES. POOR MASSES. spirit of prophecy.
rawlings was just another ***barred word*** opportunist/ a ***barred word*** who lined his pocket and that of his wife and a few croies- the tsikatas, ahwois, kwesi botchweys and a few others . GOD WILL PUNISH THEM
Massa; There was NO revulotion in Ghana ; it was a FRAUD AND A HOAX uprising tainted with tribalism ; stilling ; greediness and corruption and a complete naive attempt to collaspse the growth of business mindset of businessess led by by that ewe tribalist JJ Rawlings ; the QUESTION IS DID THIS SO CALLED REVOLUTION CHANGE ANYTHING IN GHANA-NO SIR !!!!!! : IT RATHER COLLASPSED ENTREPRENURAIL INITIATIVE IN GHANA ; TODAY NANA ADDO IS ATTEMPTING TO REVIVE BUSINESS GROWTH : SOMETHING JJ RAWLINGS WAS VERY NAIVE ABOUT :DID IT ERADICATE STILLING AND CORRUPTION -NO SIR !!!!; IT RATHER ENCOURAGED STILLING AND WORSE CORRUPTION LED BY ITS FOUNDER JJ RAWINGS : THE EVIDENCE IS THERE IN THE ARCHIVES.
The P(NDC) revolution only benefited a few people who are now very rich..... living in huge mansions, driving big cars and sent their children to study abroad...... The rest of us are left in poverty.