AUDIO: June 4th Has Lost Its Significance�Cadres Must Shut Up � Kweku Baako

Editor-In-Chief of the New Crusading Guide newspaper, Abdul Malik Kweku Baako, believes commemoration of the anniversary of the June 4th uprising has �lost its value�. Today (Wednesday) marks the 35th Anniversary of the June 4th revolt which was led by former President Jerry John Rawlings and some other military ranks had taken over the Government. The day was marked with laying of wreaths in honour of the fallen heroes as well as a route march. Speaking to the occasion and contributing to a panel discussion on Peace FM�s morning show �Kokrokoo�, the senior journalist said �everything that has occurred from 2001 to date as far as the commemoration of June 4th is concerned is a pointer to the fact that June 4th has lost its value and significance�. Kweku Baako again added: �I think that the NDC as a political party and their affiliate groups; cadres front and so on will do Ghanaians a lot of good if they shut down and shut up when it gets to such occasions�. Challenging the continuous celebration of an uprising he fought for, Kweku Baako, who was a key activist in the uprising claims Flt Lt Jerry John Rawlings murdered the principles of June 4 and should be lucky he is still alive. He alleges more than 110 people were executed in the country under Mr. Rawlings for offences ranging from economic sabotage, corruption, attempted coups among others. But strangely, the former president failed to abide by the principles on which he carried those executions. The seasoned journalist who quoted copiously from portions of the 1992 Constitution, part of which was in the 1972 Constitution, said as a Ghanaian citizen, he has all powers at his disposal to use any means to resist a person or group of persons who overthrow a constitutional government. The General Kutu Acheampong led National Redemption Council (NRC) overthrew a constitutional government under Kofi Abrefa Busia in 1972 but a counter coup in 1978 which was led by Lt General Akuffo meant the Supreme Military Council will rule Ghana until June 4 1979. Thus in accordance with the constitution, Kweku Baako said, the SMC military junta was forced out and successfully overthrow in 1979 through concerted efforts him (Baako), together with other military officers and later Flt Lt Jerry Rawlings. At the height of the uprising, lots of people, including military officers were lined up and shot for acts of corruption and principally for committing a treasonable offence by overthrowing a constitutionally elected government. The New Crusading Guide Editor said Mr Rawlings "murdered" June 4 when he came back to power through another coup d'etat in 31 December 1981. To him, the continuous marking of the day is an "insult, a display of arrogance and contempt for democratic governance and civility." "...those who are still celebrating June 4 are insulting our intelligence and attacking our sensibilities," an emotionally charged Baako said. "You can't use the Revolutionary Square; It's a public space," he pointedout. Click the audio to listen to the rest of Kweku Baako�s solemn but firm submission.