<<Print>>

The Communications Director for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Central Region has accused the Member of Parliament for Assin North, Kennedy Agyapong of inciting Ghanaians to go to war. According to Allotey Jacobs, Mr Agyapong�s comments that if politicians do not change their ways in deceiving the electorate, looking out for their selfish interests and looting state property, a second Rawlings would emerge is a call for a coup d��tat adding that such comments should be condemned. In an interview on Adom FM on Tuesday, Kennedy Agyapong issued a caution to his fellow politicians that if they do not start seeking the interest of the electorate, then a second Rawlings phenomenon; where a junior officer overthrew a government to alleviate the suffering of Ghanaians, would occur again. Former President Jerry John Rawlings first overthrew the administration of General Kutu Acheampong in 1979 and did so again in 1981 with the overthrow of the late Dr Hilla Limann�s government. The former President said at the time of the coup that the political atmosphere was not conducive for the ordinary Ghanaian. Based on this history, Kennedy Agyapong said blatant lies by politicians and looting of state property will one day attract the fury of Ghanaians which may in turn result in the overthrow of an elected government. He stated that Ghanaians are enlightened and can no longer be taken for granted by politicians adding that he is also guilty of doing the same and asked that they all change their ways. He warned that the ongoing riots and protests all over the world could spill over into Ghana especially with government officials inflating figures for projects undertaken in President Mills administration citing the Job 600 project (which is to be used as offices for Parliamentarians) for which 39 million dollars has been quoted as the cost of renovation as an example. Kennedy Agyapong also spoke out against the culture of insults creeping into the body politic of Ghana stating that since charity begins at home, President Mills should lead by example and call his men to order so people will know they mean business adding the NPP will not stop if the NDC don�t quit. �I believe in reciprocal action, boot for boot and slap for slap; the NDC would have to stop, I expect the president to call his men to order,� he stated. However, Allotey Jacobs, who was a panel member on the show, said Kennedy Agyapong�s statement is an irresponsible one that should not have come from a Parliamentarian. �As a Member of Parliament who has sworn to defend the Constitution, such irresponsible statements should not come from him; for a Parliamentarian to say such a thing, he should be sacked from Parliament,� he stressed. He dismissed Mr Agyapong�s statements saying a second Rawlings will not rise up in the country again because Ghanaians are comfortable with the Atta Mills-led administration. He however stated that the comments are a clear manifestation of how desperate the NPP is to regain power adding that the NDC government is monitoring events closely. Allotey Jacobs stated that human beings have never been satisfied with what they have so it is not strange for some people to complain that things are not going right with them.