The National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketia, says the values of former President Jerry John Rawlings, Founder of the Party, must be the guide for Ghanaians.
He said the purpose of celebrating the birthday of the Party’s Founder was to learn from his principles such as probity and accountability, punctuality, positive defiance, his belief in democracy and the need for a regular lifestyle audit.
A statement issued by the Office of former President Rawlings, copied to the Ghana News Agency, said Mr Nketia made the remarks at a well-attended ceremony organised by the NDC on Sunday to mark the 78th birthday of the Founder of the Party, former President Rawlings in Accra.
Mr Nketia said such a commemorative event was an opportunity to also redefine Ghanaians’ values as a nation.
“There is no country that has developed without national values. Today, for us in NDC we have something to talk about. But if you ask the nation, as a Ghanaian what are our aspirations, what are the things we believe in, what represents our code of conduct, we do not have,” he said.
“We can look at all our great leaders and the values they espoused. Even if it is possible let’s take the debate to parliament and define our national values.”
Mr Nketia stated that it was necessary to define national values so that Ghanaians could judge their leadership and citizens when they deviated from such values.
“I know that our Founder espoused probity and accountability. It does not matter where you are placed as a citizen,” he said. “You must always remember that you have to account for your stewardship.
“Probity and accountability should not be understood to mean accounting for money. If it is a position of authority that you have been assigned, remember that there will be a day that you have to explain and account to the citizens how you use that authority.”
Mr Kimathi Agyeman-Rawlings, the son of former President Rawlings, who attended the event alongside her sister, Madam Amina Agyeman-Rawlings, recalled their dad’s unflinching pursuit of real and meaningful participation of all Ghanaians in decision-making, culminating in the establishment of Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies which were enshrined in the 1992 constitution.
He added that: “As we mark this special day we are reminded of his vision for a better Ghana.
Earlier, Mr Fiifi Fiavi Kwetey, the General Secretary of the NDC, said President Rawlings was born for a great purpose.
He said though like everyone, the late former President was not perfect, there was no one who was close to him who did not recognise the fact that his heart loved people, loved his country and loved humanity.
He recalled that President Rawlings often spoke about the sovereignty of the human spirit which he Kwetey believed was actually the sovereignty of the divine spirit that oozed through humanity.
Other speakers at the event were Nana Ato Dadzie, a former Chief of Staff at the Presidency and Naval Captain Asaasie Gyimah.
Other high profile dignitaries present at the occasion were Alhaji Mahama Iddrisu, Chairman of the NDC Council of Elders, Chief Bawumia of the Council of Elders, Dr Christine Amoako Nuamah and Madam Akua Sena Dansua.
—GNA
