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Ghana’s former President, Flt Lt Jerry John Rawlings, has at a ceremony to mark the 37th anniversary of the June 4 uprising, lashed out at the neglect of the environment by people and authority and described it as a reflection of the lawlessness, irresponsibility and indiscipline in the country.

He added that environmental neglect and abuse was a reflection “of the poor standard and authority of a government”.

The Chairman of the AFRC also charged at those who pretend not recognize what led to June 4, describing it as a justifiable intervention and an expression of rage against corruption and the rape of the country bysome political and military leaders.

“Let us not be so dishonest, so unethical, so immoral as to pretend we didn’t know what brought about 1966, what brought about 1972 and what brought about June 4 and the subsequent follow up, 31st December.

“June 4th, is therefore not about me! It is rather the collective action and expression of a people when they cry out, rise up and rightfully demand proper Governance, Accountability, Probity, Justice and Respect from those who are supposed to govern them! 

“As we mark the 37th Anniversary of June 4th, I note with pain and anguish that the poisonous and agitated environment, the attitude of leaders, the unprecedented level of dishonesty, exploitation, the abuse and misuse of the Judiciary and the Security Agencies, and the arrogance of appointed and elected Officials have returned,” President Rawlings said.

The former President said a report in the media that Ghana stood the risk of importing water by 2021 was a reality created by the abuse of our water bodies through the dumping of non-degradable waste such as plastics, metals, chemicals and other poisonous material. He also referred to the wave of illegal mining, which has polluted our major rivers and turned them “into a flow of mud and grime”.

Flt. Lt. Rawlings who spoke in an address to mark the 37th anniversary of the June 4 1979 uprising on Saturday, said, “the corruption of the environment is the quickest way to degrade our human self-worth, and a government or local authority that would butcher trees or watch the degrading of its environment cannot expect people to behave responsibly in other facets of their life.”

The Founder of the NDC was critical of those who were part of the revolution but who today, hiding under the cloak of democracy prefer to label him the errant one. “Today those who have benefited from the sweat of the people have become lords over them and feel detached from the reality of the level of deprivation at the grassroots,” he said.

The leader of the June 4 1979 uprising was particularly critical about the wanton felling of trees, which had been planted over time to protect our ecosystem and wondered why the relevant authorities have looked on unconcerned or given the go ahead for such abuse.

He dedicated the commemoration to the men and women who sacrificed for the cause including the late Robert Ocran of Mankoadze Fisheries who provided fish during the early days of the revolution.

Wreaths were laid in memory of the fallen heroes by Dr. Kwame Ampofo, representing the people of Ghana, Brigadier General Nunoo Mensah, representing the Security Services, Chief Inspector Uget Bawa on behalf of the Cadre Corps, Nii Dodoo Nsaki I, Otublohum Mantse and Acting President of the Ga Traditional Council on behalf of Traditional Rulers, Mr. Napoleon Harrison and Nii Djamlodjei VI on behalf of Farmers of Fishermen and Ms. Sylvia Davordzi on behalf of the youth.

Earlier Brigadier General Nunoo Mensah, Defence Minister Benjamin Kumbuor and Greater Accra Regional Minister, Nii Laryea Afotey Agbo lit the perpetual flame.

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