Rawlings Hosts Friends To Cocktail On 50th Birthday

Accra, June 21, - President Jerry John Rawlings has hosted a reception at the Castle, Osu, for a cross- section of the population on the eve of his 50th birthday tomorrow. The cocktail brought to the seat of government several distinguished personalities, including chiefs, senior citizens, the clergy, ministers and members of parliament, as well as ordinary people. President Rawlings, accompanied by his wife Nana Konadu, and Vice-President Professor John Atta Mills, smiled, shook hands with his guests and embraced some them as they congratulated him. With music from Jewel Ackah's Butterfly Six Band, many of the guests took to the floor. President Rawlings, partnered by Dr. Mary Grant, Council of State Member, and Nana Konadu, partnered by Prof. Mills, drew several rounds of applause from the guests as they danced to the tune of highlight music. The president received gifts, some in huge well- parceled boxes, as well as simple birthday cards President Rawlings, who has been head of state for almost 17 out of his 50 years, received congratulatory messages from both within and outside Ghana. World leaders, who sent messages include President Bill Clifton of the United States, President Boris Yeltsin of Russia and Mr. Kofi Annan, Secretary-General of the United Nations. President Clinton, 51, said in his message that President Rawlings has joined him in the club of elder statesmen. The message, read by a former Supreme Court judge of President Clinton's home state of Arkansas, concluded: ''On behalf of the American people, I wish to congratulate you''. Mr. Annan said in his message that President Rawlings ''is one of the presidents the world is looking up to for leadership''. The message from the US Congress wished him good health. President Rawlings also received messages of congratulations from many organisations, including the NDC, ACDRs and the Market Women's Association. Dr. Mary Grant read one from the Council of State. It said: ''May you always have the courage to carry out your convictions. You have achieved a lot for your country''. Some of the personalities who served either under the erstwhile PNDC or First Government of the Fourth Republic were at the Castle to wish the president "Happy Birthday". Among them were Mr. Paul Victor Obeng, former adviser to the president on Governmental Affairs, and Dr. Francis Acquah, a former secretary for Industries, Science and Technology.