Former President Jerry John Rawlings has noted with concern the need for the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) to have new faces to lead the party ahead of the 2020 General Elections.
The former military leader made this observation at the commemoration of the 36th anniversary of the 31st December Revolution held on Sunday, December 31, 2017 in Ho in the Volta Region.
Speaking on the theme, “Uniting Around the Principles of Probity, Accountability and Social Justice’, Mr Rawlings said, “the NDC needs men and women at its various executive positions who have the strength of character to boldly lead the party and ensure that they have the ability to rein in members of their own government when in power”.
According to him, the 2016 defeat of party was self-inflicted, which he said could have been avoided if the executives had done the right thing.
“The ideals of probity, accountability, integrity and social justice did not manifest itself in our policies and conduct at all times. Some of our own comrades chose to be impervious to reality and we experienced a crushing defeat that haunts many till today”, he asserted.
He lamented the neglect of the party’s grassroots, noting, “our party has been paralysed by the complete dearth of principles to drive the party”
He added: “Our youth are being motivated by monetary influence rather than principles. Many have no clue about the ideals of the party and only see political association as an economic association, further emboldening the so-called
The outspoken founder of the NDC did not mince words when he took a swipe at some people he described as “latter-day party officials” for always denigrating him anytime he spoke about the wrongs in the NDC when the party was in power.
“Many of these political novices, eager to please their paymasters may be oblivious to the countless times my counsel was treated with contempt. I cannot lay claim to the position of party founder and spend time criticizing another party or institution when my house is burning. Removing the log in my eye is the only way to legitimize any right to expose the speck in another’s”, he said.
Story: Atta KWAKU BOADI
Writer’s email: kwaku.boadi@todygh.com