Engage extensively on Election 2020 to prevent unnecessary suspicion - Rawlings to EC
Enoch Darfah Frimpong
Politics
Former President Jerry John Rawlings has urged the Electoral Commission (EC) to engage all stakeholders extensively as it prepares towards Election 2020.
This, according to Mr Rawlings will help prevent "unnecessary suspicion and promote a peaceful and cohesive society."
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He said this when he addressed the 41st anniversary of the June 4 uprising at his office on Thursday.
The day was commemorated under the theme, “Strengthening the Spirit of Patriotism, Resilience and Integrity in Difficult Times”.
Former President Rawlings and leader of the uprising delivered the keynote address for the event which was organised virtually due to the coronavirus pandemic and restrictions on mass gathering.
Touching on the issue of the Electoral Commission's preparations towards the December 7 general elections, Mr Rawlings noted, "We must endeavour as a nation to deepen the spirit of the consultative process, equity, respect for the rule of law or in simple terms, the tenet of democracy and multiparty democracy."
"The Electoral Commission which is the fulcrum of our multiparty democracy must be supported and protected by all stakeholders; to ensure a free and fair election and a peaceful society," Mr Rawlings said.
"That notwithstanding, it is equally important for that revered institution, EC, to ensure that the processes leading to this year’s elections are done in consultation with the stakeholders of the nation; to prevent unnecessary suspicion, and promote a peaceful and cohesive society."
"An election is an event but, building a democratic, free and peaceful society is a process so the debate surrounding the new voter’s register must be thoroughly examined so we do not undermine the successes we have chalked so far, as a nation," he added.
Adding, Mr Rawlings said the constitutional mandate of the Electoral Commission "must be respected by all."
"While we work towards perfecting our electoral process, I urge you all to pursue and sustain our uniqueness as a country in the democratization process."
"The sanctity of the right of choice is not a matter we can compromise with. That sanctity must be preserved at all cost and as we inch towards November let us ensure that the institutional processes are transparent and beyond blemish. Freedom and justice is not abstract.
"It is very much related to the sanctity of the right of choice. Those who are eligible to exercise that right of choice should not and cannot be disenfranchised by dictates that defeat one’s right to vote. The sanctity of justice should be preserved and protected with all of us being subject to the practice of what is just. An unjust society deepens the inequities that exist," he said.
Below is a copy of his full address
ADDRESS BY H.E. JERRY JOHN RAWLINGS AT A VIRTUAL DURBAR TO MARK THE 41ST ANNIVERSARY OF THE JUNE 4 UPRISING.
THURSDAY JUNE, 4, 2020
Fellow country men and women, let me on your behalf say a big thank you to our soldiers and service personnel for the reward of the victory of that fateful June 4th.
I thank you all not only for June 4th but for 31st December as well, which pre-empted a repetition of another even bloodier June 4th because people felt betrayed by the elite and political leadership.
I have chosen to speak less and rather allow the force of observation and the pain of circumstances to serve as a stimulus in awakening all of us from the deep sleep we have fallen into over the past decades.
We must be reminded that we are a country borne out of difficult situations where some had to toil and shed their blood. The positive disruptive force and energy of June 4th was not a product of any political movement or action.The spontaneous eruption on that fateful day represented the unadulterated spirit of liberation that was collectively sought after, as a nation at the brink of collapse.
Nothing more has signified or exemplified the patriotism and resilience of Ghanaians than in those difficult moments. Many were those who sacrificed their lives and livelihoods in order to bequeath to subsequent generations a more just society with equal opportunities for all, irrespective of their religion, tribe, ethnicity, political or educational status.
We must never forget our past nor erase the memories of where we came from. Commemorations like this allow us to ponder, reflect and re-examine ourselves - our conduct and policies and to see if these have properly been aligned to our core values of probity, accountability, integrity and social justice.
The difficult times we faced in the past that propelled the engine of the revolution is almost parallel in hardship with the present era of Covid-19.
But the question is, do we have the same mental fortitude and integrity that would enable us survive the circumstances of today’s trials?
History, it is often said, repeats itself whenever we refuse to learn most especially from adversities and volcanic and near bloody eruptions.
We have many dedicated and learned men and women who could provide leadership at various levels to the benefit of this country.
The very ordinary people in Ghana are not unwise about issues and developments in this country. We are, however, as a learned group unable to bring the best out of our people.
The inability of our people to communicate with us in the administrative English language puts them at a disadvantage and makes them unable to demand accountability and transparency from us.
The spirituality and respect in the language of our culture evokes and demands integrity, accountability and transparency from us.
This, however, does not and cannot happen because the foreign and colonial language has been used opportunistically to intimidate and promote falsehood and degrade the essence and substance of our being.
Had we as a people carried our integrity and spirituality in our culture and language into the use of the administrative English language, a higher level of integrity would have been prevailing in Ghana and this continent and the quality of liberation would have enhanced our developmental efforts.
The material and immaterial corruption in this country would not have undermined our ability and capabilities to the extent where the authority of truth would have been so badly undermined by the corrupted truth of authority.
In other words, the authority of truthfulness should not be undermined by the words or supposed truths of those in positions of power or authority.
The morality and authority of truth is godly and divine and it should always supersede and override the truth of the authority of mortals.
We have so mastered the art of untruth in our books, on our radios, on our televisions and now through the Internet so much so that historical truths and facts are struggling to be recognized.
People are paid a lot of corrupt money to distort and lie about historical truths. Is it any wonder that the precious lessons we should be learning are invariably lost on us? And we end up committing the same blunders over and over.
The royal families of France and Russia were executed for their corrupt and unaccountable leadership. The royal families who learnt their lessons from France and Russia embarked upon serious democratic reforms and that is why the royal family of England and other places in Europe have survived.
Instead of learning useful lessons from our not-too-distant past here in Ghana, some have made it their business to corrupt others to distort and wipe out our history.
These people with selfish, myopic and wicked motives have consistently re-presented a one-sided story of a history that should serve as a guide for the future and ensure that we do not make the same mistakes that led to the eruptions of the past. Where have the distortions taken us?
What has the failure to tell the truth done to us? Has it not brought us right back almost to where we started? We have rather belittled the national psyche. We could have been far richer, socially, culturally and economically, but for our negative desire to destroy the inspirational history that could have lifted us onto another pedestal.
When people shamelessly attempt to erase the truth, because they lack scruples, it rather perpetuates a state of corruption that derails all we have achieved while glorifying exploitation, perversion, dishonesty, immorality and criminality.
I have countless examples of the evil actions of some of our elite in perpetuating their own depraved reality. More painful is the fact that while we expect some of these historical distortions to come from our natural opponents, some within our own political culture decided it was time to join the bandwagon and re-write the history that birthed our political culture.
Last year I spoke about how the intelligence machinery of the former Apartheid regime of South Africa used to pay treacherous characters in some of our countries.
They served as spies and helped to spread malicious disinformation. Because the post-Apartheid leadership of South Africa has been silent about some of these traitors spread across the continent including Ghana, many of these characters are still doing some perfidious things.
I urge the South Africans to expose these Apartheid collaborators, some of whom parade in their countries as patriots after performing some unconscionable and extremely repulsive acts.
COVID-19
Ladies and Gentlemen, early this year the world was struck by a pandemic whose effects eventually affected every facet of our lives.
Despite the interventions from state institutions to alleviate the plight of the under-privileged there is still a lot to be done by all of us in our very own communities to support these groups of people.
The health force across the country some of whom have been infected with the virus, in the line of duty have taught us a sense of purpose, selflessness, commitment, dedication and patriotism.
I commend all health workers as well as all other frontline workers for proving equal to the task in this defining moment of ours.
Fellow compatriots, we have hurt our own by institutionalizing corruption for far too long; giving a little few the access to amass wealth at the risk of the livelihood of the ordinary citizens who are languishing in poverty and misery.
National monuments, groups, events, institutions and important state assets are labelled after some deserving individuals to inspire and direct subsequent generations on the good path they must emulate namely: courage, the spirit of patriotism, resilience and integrity.
In some instances, it serves as a crucial reminder for history’s defining moments. In Ghana, these actions that subtly influences us are sometimes taken for granted.
Unsurprisingly, some important roads in Accra have been named after undeserving personalities. Such actions are a spite on the Ghana Armed Forces and an affront to many. There are many distinguished African figures such as our own General Akuffo, Commodore Boakye, Admiral Amedume, Colonel Mensah Gbedemah, General Erskine, General Nunoo-Mensah, General Arnold Quainoo, Commodore Boakye, Brigadier Alphonse Kojo Kattah, Ayikwei Armah, Nigeria’s Wole Soyinka and Chinua Achebe and a couple more who merit such honour.
In like manner, another administration desecrated the Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum and rendered it a sheer family cemetery.
Ladies and gentlemen, our democracy is borne out of fire and we must dearly and compassionately protect its flames. One of the key institutional arms of this democratic discourse from pre-colonial to modern day Ghana is the protection of right and choice.
We must endeavour as a nation to deepen the spirit of the consultative process, equity, respect for the rule of law or in simple terms, the tenet of democracy and multiparty democracy.
The Electoral Commission which is the fulcrum of our multiparty democracy must be supported and protected by all stakeholders; to ensure a free and fair election and a peaceful society.
That notwithstanding, it is equally important for that revered institution, EC, to ensure that the processes leading to this year’s elections are done in consultation with the stakeholders of the nation; to prevent unnecessary suspicion, and promote a peaceful and cohesive society. An election is an event but, building a democratic, free and peaceful society is a process so the debate surrounding the new voter’s register must be thoroughly examined so we do not undermine the successes we have chalked so far, as a nation.
In addition, the constitutional mandate of the Electoral Commission must be respected by all. While we work towards perfecting our electoral process, I urge you all to pursue and sustain our uniqueness as a country in the democratization process.
The sanctity of the right of choice is not a matter we can compromise with. That sanctity must be preserved at all cost and as we inch towards November let us ensure that the institutional processes are transparent and beyond blemish. Freedom and justice is not abstract. It is very much related to the sanctity of the right of choice.
Those who are eligible to exercise that right of choice should not and cannot be disenfranchised by dictates that defeat one’s right to vote. The sanctity of justice should be preserved and protected with all of us being subject to the practice of what is just. An unjust society deepens the inequities that exist.
The patriotic zeal that gave birth to June 4 is one that cannot be extinguished. Any attempt to compromise on the ideals of probity, accountability and integrity in our everyday lives is an attempt to snuff out the light that was lit 41 years ago. Let us honour the memories of those who laid down their lives liberating Ghana.
Thank you and God bless you all.
SPEECH DELIVERED BY DAN ABODAKPI ON THE OCCASION OF JUNE 4 UPRISING 2020 CELEBRATION TITLED:
STRENTHENING THE SPIRIT OF PATRIOTISM, RESILIENCE AND INTEGRITY IN DIFFICULT TIMES
Distinguished Comrades, and fellow Compatriots, this year's celebration of the glorious June 4 uprising is taking place at a time that is both crucial and critical for humankind across the globe as COVID-19 continues to relentlessly assault the human resource and economies of both developed and developing world.
As the nations of the world scramble in panic to find a possible antidote to this irrepressible hidden enemy which does not differentiate between races, creed or classes in its inexorable march towards destruction, I believe that it is only that indomitable spirit of Resilience in Man that continues to give us hope of survival.
It is that spirit of resilience and positive defiance that is providing the courage, determination and conviction that this unseen 'Enemy' will also eventually be subdued and overcome.
Comrades, at this difficult juncture of our lives, however, humanity's victory is hugely dependent on the type of leadership that our Leaders provide.Unfortunately, whilst we are under siege the world over by the COVID-19 VIRUS, we are also witnessing unprecedented levels of ARROGANCE of POWER by duty bearers across our Political, Public, Traditional and or Civil administrative structures of governance.
In our country Ghana today, Leaders of all categories are either forgetting or are refusing to remember that SOVEREINGTY resides in the people and that ultimately all leaders must be ACCOUNTABLE to the people.
Duty bearers at the various sectors of our socio-economic fabric ought to bear in mind that the offices they occupy are not ends in themselves but meant to achieve the greater good of the people.
It is the refusal of these duty bearers to acknowledge this fact that result in chaos and upheavals of which history is replete with concrete examples to guide the present generation.
Fellow Compatriots, before our very eyes the so called greatest democracy is dithering most dangerously into chaos because of the overbearing postures of political leadership and a complete drift towards 'ANOCRACY' in which leaders, instead of keeping to the tested and hallowed principles of 'GOVERNMENT FOR THE PEOPLE AND BY THE PEOPLE are surreptitiously replacing it with a system that is PART DEMOCRACY AND PART DICTATORSHIP.
Comrades and Compatriots, June 4 1979 is unique in our history because it forcefully drove home the point that those Governing Must be Accountable to the Governed at all times. Apart from the Governed holding Duty bearers Accountable, another key and critical good governance principle worthy of note is PARTICIPATORY DEMOCRACY.
Thanks to the June 4 and 31st December Revolutions, certain key structures of participatory Democracy were captured into our National Constitution particularly PARLIAMENT, MUNICIPAL/DISTRICT ASSEMBLIES AND UNIT COMMITTEES.
Regrettably, these important structures have been systematically rendered ineffective or completely insignificant through the over concentration of power in the Executive, in this case THE PRESIDENT.
This is why our Governance system has virtually become ANOCRATIC. This is why 41years after that bold and glorious uprising when the Ranks and some few Young Officers took upon themselves that most courageous, altruistic and patriotic challenge to CLEAN UP and RESTORE the SHIP OF STATE BUOYED IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.
Fellow Compatriots, our Country seems to be slipping off its moor into trouble seas! There is deep seated cynicism among our body polity because of perceived arrogance of power and absence of true participation and political compromise. Let me add quickly here that we have travelled this far because of the far reaching political/democratic compromises that we have made since the advent of the 4th Republic even in fashioning our Electoral System!
Distinguished Comrades, and fellow Compatriots, as we mark this landmark occasion, let us be guided by the events of 41years ago, and work hard to make our Governance System truly Democratic and not ANOCRATIC for that is the surest way through which we can build a sustained National Team Spirit and the needed Esprit de Corps in order to confront and overcome current and future challenges.
Let us continue to observe the necessary protocols toward keeping safe from COVID-19 because the challenges ahead would require that we are one hundred percent fit.
Thank you for your attention, Comrades!
JUNE 4 ADDRESS BY SUSIE AFUA ADOBOE (MRS)
Mr. Chairman
His Excellency, Former President JJ Rawlings
The General Secretary of the NDC, Mr. Johnson Asiedu Nketiah
Members of National Executive Committee
Members of the Planning Committee
Distinguished Guests
Our Friends from the Media
Ladies and Gentlemen,The opportunity has once again presented itself for us to meet at this very important event on NDC’s Calender- Commemoration of June Fourth Revolution and I want to use this privileged opportunity to commend our Founder, Flt Lt JJ Rawlings and all those who played a part in that event which later gave birth to the NDC.
First and foremost, the June 4, 1979 Uprising occurred because the economy had been run such that, people could not make ends meet, even basic foods such as kenkey was scarce, people were faced with extreme poverty as a result, some head of families and young ones who could not find their future left the shores of Ghana for greener pastures. The lack of social amenities like potable water because the Engineers who should man our water systems also traveled, this led to people drinking unwholesome water which caused water born disease like bilhezia and guinea worm.
The trust of the people was abused because those exercising the power forgot they were holding it in trust for the people.
Our Teachers were not spared, they equally left and so, we were left with empty classrooms, who to teach became a problem.Our Doctors and Nurses also left, who to treat the sick at the hospitals, who was there to assist women deliver their babies? So you can imagine how many children who died at the time who could have become Lawyers, Doctors, Teachers, Police, Military etc.
Some Lecturers and Experts who couldn’t make ends meet on their merger salaries turned their cars into taxis to enable them feed their families.
Ghana became a laughing stock by our neighbors as our citizens migrated to these countries those citizens were being humiliated because they were doing jobs below them, which they would not have done back here in Ghana. For example, in Ivory Coast, during a National Quiz Competition, the children were asked in which country does the people, queue for toilet rolls and the answer was Ghana, and that was correct. People produced local soaps called “Don’t Touch Me” and people queued for it.
There was extreme corruption and total mismanagement of the economic resources by those in charge of governance. The spirit of patriotism which is the readiness to fight for and even die for one’s country was almost dead as those in the helm of affairs plundered the nation and cared less about the plight of the suffering masses.
Corruption became endemic and almost accepted everywhere. Kalabule was rife middlemen sold goods at exorbitant prices.
Today, the very thing that sent us to the June fourth are still here with us. Youth unemployment is still a problem, accountability is still a problem with us, only few people are amassing wealth at the expense of the people. The Revolution fought against such ills as; corruption, nepotism, unemployment, lack of quality education, healthcare etc.The misuse and misapplication of the opportunities to rule to create unnecessary tensions and semblance of terror by a selected few over the masses made the people and civil society to rise to demand accountability.
Out of the revolution Ghana became the pride in Africa, a lot of opportunities fell to the country which set the base for a shift in political system. Our telecommunication, Airport, power etc had improved drastically with multiple power station/thermal plant.
Today, accountability is far away from us, people who are put in position of responsibility are not accounting to the people. What is happening today is it different from what happened 41 years ago?
Despite the fSHS parents are still paying rent for their wards as a result of lack of admission into a boarding facility. Young boys and girls have to rent a room in order to attend classes. This policy has led to the increase in social vices by these students.
Inspite of our well touted National Health Insurance Scheme, can people still afford healthcare?
Despite the claim of abundant food stock, people are still struggling for a decent meal a day.Again, inspite of the numerous Anti-Corruption State Institutions set up to fight against corruption it is still very endemic in our country. Irrespective of the political system we practice, people at position of trust refuse to account to the people.
The 1992 Constitution involves every facet of life; farmers, chop bar keepers, professionals, market women, barbers, drivers etc, all contributed to its drafting, so no attempt should be made to undermine it No!!! Constitutional bodies like the Electoral Commission, who seemingly are being manipulated and controlled by carefully executing a grand design to hoodwink the entire citizenry with their intended new voter registration without listening to the major opposition party, the NDC, must know that…..
Let’s be reminded of what happened in Hong Kong where the Chinese government tried severally to calm down demonstrators. Now, let’s look at what the Almighty America is experiencing as a result of one singular act.
Those in position of power can decide to play ostriches today but, the June 4 is there to remind us that, no one should feel comfortable or indemnify to seat on the people or take the power from the people and use it against them because out of the ordinary man, is ordained strength so those who think that power can be exercise by a few must watch because all that happened with June fourth are still here with us. The lessons of June 4 are as relevant as they were in 1979.
Believers in the June 4, 1979 Revolution which serve as watershed of the political tradition of our founder and father, H.E Flt Lt Jerry John Rawlings, need to do an introspection as heirs.
We need to conduct our affairs in an honest and forthright, incorruptible manner so that our country men and women would see and testify how morally sound we are with regards to the country’s resources.Finally, it should be noted that the key words Patriotism, Resilience and Integrity are action words directed at us- those who believe in the revolution of which serve as the watershed of our political tradition, on our side like the Israilites in Egypt who needed to be liberated from oppression, discrimination and high-handedness of Pharaoh, we need to work hard and relentlessly like Moses and Aaron to win the December election to liberate Ghanaians from their suffering.
Long Live June 4th Revolution!
Long Live the NDC!!
Long Live Mother Ghana!!!Thank you
