My dear former executives and elder statesmen of the National Democratic Congress;
Let me first express my sincere gratitude for finding the time and
energy to travel from various parts of the country to converge here in
the supreme interest of the party.
At times such as this, I
wish many who currently hold the helms of the party have the same level
of deep commitment and love that you exhibited in the past and which has
manifested yet again, today. I thank you once again for this great show
of deep sense of belonging to our political tradition.
My dear
friends and senior colleagues; I am also deeply touched by your plea
that I overlook the deep problems our party has encountered since 2009
and join the campaign trail.
I have in recent public statements
expressed my desire to see the NDC win theelection and have also
expressed the feeling that John Mahama has brought some sense of hope to
the NDC.
What has really given me hope, however, is the fact
that you as former Chiefs of our party have noted with concern the
problems that encounter our party and which cannot be wished away simply
by the possibility of an electoral victory.
It is important
that your statements here today are not cosmetic and will be followed up
with real action and words of reproach and action to the current
leaders of the party, some of whom approach party issues as if they have
nounderstanding of the issues that affect the ordinary people of Ghana.
As a party we have failed in several aspects of governance,
particularly with respect to offering confidence to the people that they
will receive justice at all times. I need not delve into the details
because you are aware of these and I have stated them several times
over.
When I speak publicly against my own party it is with
deep hurt, but I cannot betray the people who held this party up and
gave it a life when many had little belief in us. You more so than
others did so because of our religious adherence to the basic principles
of probity and accountability. Corruption in its various forms and
especially lack of justice in government leads to national instability.
I enjoin all of you here to hit the campaign trail. Your input is
valuable to the cause so don’t go back home and watch from the
sidelines.
Events of the past three years have led to divisions
some of which led to the establishment of the NDP with the aim of
salvaging the ideals of the P/NDC.
We may however have to call
on our dear brothers and sisters in the NDP, the party leadership and
membership to consider seriously withdrawing parliamentary candidates
from constituencies where the NDC has credible candidates.
I
hope to play my part in this election period. I am four years older than
I was in 2008 and all the exertion plus my international roles mean I
am a tired man. I was hoping to retire after the last election but
unfortunately things did not fall in place the way they should have.
We must keep the channels of communication open so we can work hand in
hand tore-ignite the revolution to restore our party to its rightful
position of respect and value in our society.
Corruption and injustice has never had and will not ensure any future in national governance.
Thank you
Posted in: Election 2012, Jerry John Rawlings
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