Former President Jerry John Rawlings says until Ghanaians assume the right, duty and responsibility to assist in confronting the fight against corruption, government would have a hard time doing it alone.
He said the corruption he faced when he first came to power in 1979 was not as bad as what is being confronted today.
Flt Lt Rawlings stated that, “the current government owes its own survival to the anti-corruption crusade,” explaining that some administrations who found the integrity level of the AFRC/PNDC too high and intimidating made it a point to corrupt some of our national institutions in order to survive.
The former President who spoke during a meeting with a delegation of political leaders from Sierra Leone led by former Vice-President Chief Sam-Sumana on Sunday, said each administration’s refusal to contain and punish corruption, invariably provided the climate and opportunity for the problem to eat deeper into the fabric of the nation to the extent that one could only succeed by doing things the wrong way.
“By the time this administration came into office the country was literally drowning in the practice of corruption with impunity. This administration has therefore inherited national corruption at its worst,” Mr. Rawlings stated.
Former President Rawlings told his guests that the revolution brought the best out of the people. He recalled several efforts supported by Western powers to derail the process, including the deportation of one million Ghanaians from Nigeria under Shehu Shagari’s administration.
“The expectation was that the revolution would have to be collapsed in order for Shagari to survive. Unfortunately the revolution survived and Shagari had to go, unseated by General Buhari who seemed slightly out of touch with the prevailing political climate and subsequently had to be unseated by General Babangida. We survived because the people felt they owned the process,” former President Rawlings said.
Chief Sam-Sumana who was dismissed under controversial circumstances in 2015 informed the former President that his delegation comprised leaders drawn from several political groups in Sierra Leone and the diaspora who had decided to come together as a coalition to contest the next election.
The former Vice-President said the group recognized President Rawlings’ ideals and desire to see a better Africa, describing him as a man who served as the foundation for the renewed development of Ghana after the demise of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah.
“We look up to you as a role model because of the peace and stability you brought not only to Ghana but to Sierra Leone and Liberia during your tenure as Head of State,” Chief Sam-Sumana said.
Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana
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Papa keep on going and never return, i pray that darkness does not chatch you on the way.
Amazing, does this man make any sense? so there has never been corruption in Ghana before Mahama came to power? don't you feel ashamed of yourself Mr. JJ? can't you see how you are disgracing yourself before Ghanaians? don't you have responsible families to tell you the truth that Nana can not slaughter you if you tell the truth? Your end is very bad, you are gradually destroying the little integrity that is left on you if any.
Because of your attitude couple with that of your wife, your own children are not shining again. Where is your daughter Zenator Rawlings? She was doing well but now where is she. We shall read what we sow.
Why we always tiling Ghanaian,s to be very careful about our Politicians We Think Their Enemy's but Their not believe me or not this is the True so many on told Stores behind the seeing I will give you something to lean you try to Visit the Ghana Parliament House & Peace FM on Kokorooko Supper Mourning Program you will see Them with Chairman General after or before the Program you will understand me
Papa J truly truly your regime also had corrupt people. In fact most of your ministers were corrupt but people were afraid to report for the fear that you will cause their unnecessary arrest. In fact you your self is a clear example. Remember the cash dollars your received from former Nigeria president Abacha? What did you come to tell us about that money? Please give us a break ok
It appears since the assumption of power by Nana Addo and his NPP, Papa J at every forum or platform tries to pour scorn and invectives on his own NDC; the party he founded with his own blood. This is to castigate and portray the party as the worst ever to rule the country. Though he did not mention NDC perse in his submission, any fair, objective analysis will conclude that the immediate past regime of Mahama handed over a worst and a most corrupt state to his now darling Nana Addo, who once upon a time was his sworn enemy. One cannot understand why he always openly displays a hatred and strong personal animosity towards NDC. To him he has adopted a "no see no hear no speak" attitude to all the abuses, cronyisms, corruption and open display of opulence by this current admin. To Papa J I say one day he will come back to realization and confess. To NDC, I say cheer up where all seem lost, that's where new surprises emerge. To NPP, I say don't ever assume all is well with you now; the tables will soon turn.
I can't insult an elderly person...but what I will say is Papa J the truth is you are worse than the word Corruption.
I wonder how this man thinks! Looking for corruption, massa look no further. It is the man talking, period! His own wife bought GNTC properties, Nsawan Cannery & many more and he still talks about corruption! Tweaaaaaa!
that B A S T A D will not keep quite the most courrupt family in ghana now is rawlings he think we dont knw history noises
The bogus revolution of the PNDC govt who killed others for borrowing money produced the current crop of corrupt NDC leaders...... NDC is a group of cr!m!nals calling themselves politicians.... The NDC must be pursued to die a natural death as a political party.