https://www.myjoyonline.com/the-ghanaian-observer-rawlings-fires-salvoes/-------https://www.myjoyonline.com/the-ghanaian-observer-rawlings-fires-salvoes/
Politics

The Ghanaian Observer: Rawlings fires salvoes

The Founder of main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Ex-President Rawlings, trail blazing the campaign of his party for the December elections. This has come after days of debate as to whether he will or will not support the NDC Presidential candidate, Professor John Evans Atta Mills' campaign to capture power in this year's Presidential election. Announcing his presence in this year's general elections campaign as part of a series of political tours he will embark on, the Ex-President started his political tour from the Brong Ahafa Region for two days. As usual, at his first point of the tour he challenged the Electoral Commission (EC) and various security agencies to preserve their neutrality in this year's general elections and never compromise it with any politician or political party in this country. The former President also charged the EC to discharge its constitutional mandate without fear or favour to any political party in the country. According to him, the EC has the mandate to conduct successful elections in the country and therefore should resist any orchestrated attempt by any group of politicians or political party to destabilisc the democratic process of this country. The two-day tour, which magnetised huge enthusiastic crowds, including the supporters and sympathisers of the NDC across the length and breadth of the region, took the former President to towns such as Gambia, Berekum, Kyeremasu and Dormaa among others. Addressing the teeming crowd, which kept simultaneously chanting "J.J come back, J.J come back", the Ex-President maintained that the EC's constitutional mandate was not to favour any political party or group in this country. Turning to the security agencies, Mr. Rawlings, who fired himself unto the political landscape 29 years ago, said the security agencies have the responsibility to stay neutral in this year's elections. According to him, the uniform they wear is a manifestation of protection of the country's law and order, adding that each and every one of them should not work to compromise the peaceful environment Ghana is enjoying currently. Commending some security agencies in the country for their role in the enhancement of the country's democratic process, the NDC Founder condemned officers who by his estimation have allowed themselves to be manipulated by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government, for their parochial selfish interest. He stressed that some security agencies, who worked in the just ended voters registration exercise, were not vigilant enough to ensure violence free elections, adding that some also compromised their duty for the ruling party to have advantage over other political parties. The former President, who was accompanied on the tour by his Special Aide, Mr. Kofi Adams, former Majority Leader of Parliament, Mr. 1. H. Owusu Acheampong, Member of Parliament for Kpone Katamanso, Nii Layer Afotey Agbo among other party regional executives, charged the NDC supporters and faithful to be vigilant in the December elections. He said the NDC has a bright chance of wrestling political power from the NPP and manage the economy effectively for the betterment of the masses, saying that the NPP government's policies have eroded the economic successes chalked by his regime and Ghanaians are now suffering so much. Tracing the history of the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC), Mr. Rawlings reiterated that he assumed political office to save Ghanaians from similar economic hardships the NPP government has re-introduced into the country in recent times. He, therefore, called on the rank and file of the party, supporters and sympathisers to vote massively for the NDC in the December 7 elections, to kick the ruling government out for NDC to continue its good works. Reacting to speculations that he had completely disassociated himself from the NDC Presidential candidate's campaign, Mr. Rawlings pledged his unflinching support for Hon. John Mahama and Professor John Evans Atta Mills. He subsequently called on rank and file and the grass root members of the NDC to support the two candidates in their bid to govern this country.

DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Tags:  


DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.