Former President, Flt Lt Jerry John Rawlings has rallied Ghanaians to rejuvenate the revolutionary spirit to combat corruption, greed and selfishness or risk derailing our political and social cohesion.
The leader of the June 4 1979 uprising and the 31st December 1981 revolution said:
“The colour of the democracy especially from the period of 2000 appears to lack the will, the capacity and the ability to fight corruption.”
The former President, who spoke at a ceremony to mark the 34th anniversary of the 31st December revolution on Thursday, described as a source of national pain, the loss of the spirit of defiance that couldcontain greed and selfishness and which has led to the institution of vice and corruption in the country.
Recalling the rationale behind the revolutions, Flt Lt Rawlings said:
“The colour of these revolutions contained a strong element of justice, truthfulness and freedom and the spirit of defiance to contain wrongdoing. We should be asking ourselves what happened especially from the year 2000.
“…The significance of this ceremony, as simple as it is, should never be lost on us. It should serve as a constant reminder of where we were and where we are. It should serve as a constant reminder of what led to the revolt of June 4 1979 and serve as a constant reminder of the 31st December Revolution.”
Other speakers at the parade and lighting of perpetual flame event, which took place at the Revolutionary Square in Accra, included Nii Dodoo Nsakie, Otublohum Mantse, who reminded the audience, comprising cadres, members of the public, traditional rulers and some government officials that the revolution occurred to restore transparency, accountability and selfless leadership.
Nii Nsakie who is also the Acting President of the Ga Traditional Council, charged Ghanaians to use the commemoration to remind themselves of the need to be open and transparent at all levels to ensure that the peace and stability we enjoy is sustained.
The National Democratic Congress constituency chairman for Keta, Dr. Kofi Djokoto recalled the spirit of selflessness that heralded the revolution and challenged all to hold leadership accountable. He enjoined Ghanaians to embrace the spirit of patriotism and equity and to demand efficiency and compassion from those who govern us.
“The spirit of the revolution must be rejuvenated and resuscitated,” Dr. Djokoto asserted.
Earlier wreaths in honour of the fallen heroes were laid on behalf of the People ofGhana, the security services, the cadre corps, traditional institutions, farmers and fishermen and the youth.
The perpetual flame was lit by a triad of police officers at the request of Flt. Lt Jerry John Rawlings.
FULL TEXT OF WHAT PRESIDENT RAWLINGS SAID AT 34TH ANNIVERSARY CEREMONY OF THE 31ST DECEMBER REVOLUTION
The significance of this ceremony, as simple as it is, should never be lost on us. It should serve as a constant reminder of where we were and where we are. It should serve as a constant reminder of what led to the revolt of June 4 1979 and serve as a constant reminder of the 31st December Revolution.”
Ladies and gentlemen, from what I can see, it appears that the colour of this democracy is very different from the colour of the democracy we knew from 1982 to 1992 and also very different from the colour of the democracy we knew from the constitutional period of 1992 to 2000.
The colour of these revolutions contained a strong element of justice, truthfulness and freedom and the spirit of defiance to contain wrongdoing. We should be asking ourselves what happened especially from the year 2000. The colour of the democracy especially from the period of 2000 appears to lack the will, the capacity and the ability to fight corruption. I keep harping on this issue and I will continue to do so.
The colour of this democracy seems a little too different from what we used to know, from the spirit of defiance that could contain the greed, the selfishness that has given rise to so much corruption and pain in this country. I keep reminding ourselves of the colour of the revolution. It is extremely important that we do everything possible to capture that spirit before it becomes toolate. I keep saying that the people of this country are peace-loving people and it is important that we do not take that peace loving nature of Ghanaians for granted.
In a few months we will meet again to light the flame of June 4th. Let us hope that some colour that we identify with, that is discernible with the revolution will begin to show. We need to rejuvenate the spirit to fight corruption, the spirit to contain greed, selfishness, otherwise ladies and gentlemen, we may not be able to reach our destination.
The time has come for us to start looking at those who profited from the change of the colour, starting from 2000 and those who are profiting from that change in colour. Ladies and gentlemen, Niimei, Naamei that’s all I have for you on this somber occasion.
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