Members of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) in Chiana-Paga Friday (12 November) matched through the streets of Paga, capital of the Kassena-Nankana West District, in remembrance of Jerry John Rawlings, one year after his passing.
Clad in the NDC’s party colours, constituency executives led sympathisers to match through some principal streets to immortalise the late former president.
The sympathisers later gathered at the party constituency office where a speech was delivered in his memory and sympathizers urged to emulate his exemplary leadership.
Bernard Akara, a senior member and cadre of the NDC, touted Rawlings’s achievements during his term as president.
He said Rawlings’s achievements were so significant and brought a positive impact into the lives of Ghanaians.
“Between 1994 to 2000, Ghana was adjudged as one of the leading food producers in the world. This was due to the introduction of new programmes and policies by JJ Rawlings. He expanded electricity to the northern parts of our country where we now can see light. It was in his time we saw electricity in the north.”
He added that “JJ Rawlings played a key role in peacekeeping and dispute resolutions in various countries in the sub-Sahara West African region and the entire African continent. He constructed modern hospitals at the various regions across the length and breadth of the country notably Ho in Volta region, Sunyani, Cape Coast and many district hospitals to cater for the medical needs of the citizens of Ghana.”
Akara bemoaned the living conditions of senior members of the party and urged the leadership of the NDC to prioritise their welfare as a way of encouraging allegiance.
He also urged unity, inclusiveness and cautioned leadership against individualism which may breed divisiveness.
“I urge the party to involve the grassroots more, to involve the cadres more so that everyone will feel important. When the NPP come to power, they will go down and appoint their people, but when we come to power, we talk about accountability, probity and transparency.”
James Kupanamo, the constituency chairman, described late former president Rawlings as a colossus whose memory would continue to live with them.
He said the passing of JJ Rawlings was a great loss to the country and the people of the north with whom he had a great bond.
He revealed that JJ Rawlings had a great love for the Chiana-Paga, adding that the constituency was going to miss his sterling leadership.
Kupanamo indicated that the party at the constituency has set aside 12 November to commemorate the legacy of JJ Rawlings every year.
“We are going to do it continuously. Every year, at the same venue, we will match through the streets to remember him. He is someone who has brought transformation to our people, so this is going to be a routine thing. Every year on 12 November, we will commemorate to honour our former president.”
Senyalah Castro
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