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General News of Monday, 27 July 2009

Source: Chronicle

I will not attack Mills again - JJ

Former President Rawlings and founder of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) has told chiefs from the Aflao traditional area that he would no more attack President Mills even if he sees something wrong with his administration.

According to him, since President Mills has appointed sector Ministers and Board chairmen, the onus now lies on them to facilitate the processes to prosecute corrupt officials who served under the erstwhile New Patriotic Party (NPP) government.

"I cannot understand it when you ask President Mills he will tell you that he has appointed Ministers and Board chairmen. I will therefore direct my attention on the Ministers and Board chairmen to speed up their efforts in the prosecution of members of the past government. It is unfortunate that when the most corrupt person was kicked out of office, his corrupt administrative machinery was left intact," he said, stressing "since the ministers and board chairmen are in place, they must do what is required of them."

The NDC founder made this remarks when chiefs from the Aflao Traditional Council in the Volta Region, led by its paramount chief, Torgbui Amenyah Fiti V, paid a courtesy call on him to officially invite him to their forthcoming 42nd 'Godigbe festival' on 31st October this year. The chiefs have planned to confer on Mr. Rawlings the title of 'Awaklawsu II' - meaning the warrior. The chiefs indicated that they settled on the title in consultation with the people of Benin, Togo and Aflao, due to the dedication and service of the former President to the people of Eweland and the nation at large.

Mr. Rawlings, who spoke on a wide range of issues, including the political situation in Togo, noted that it was about time that the former NPP government officials were taken to court.

The former President was supported by his aide, Mr. Kofi Adams, General Arnold Quainoo, Fiifi Kwetey, the deputy Minister of Finance and Economic Planning and Sillas Mensah among others, and argued that the recent armed robbery cases in the country were not only politically motivated, but has become entrenched like the cocaine trade.

The NDC founder alleged that the serial killing of women under the NDC regime during its last days in power, in 2000, has now metamorphosed into armed robbery so that the people cannot identify those behind it all.

"The police are doing a good job, but they need to beef up their efforts. The machinery must move faster," he said.

The former President could not understand why an individual should be arrested as being responsible for the killing of 8 women. He was referring to Mr. Charles Quansah, who he contended was being used as a scapegoat."They cannot go back and kill the women because if they do, they will be found out; hence they have turned to armed robbery."

Touching on the democratic process in Togo, Mr. Rawlings admitted that though the current Togolese President was doing his best to allow democracy to prevail, the reality was that things are not all that right. To this end, he appealed to all and sundry to do their best to ensure that democracy prevails in Togo.

He also expressed concern about how President Faure Eyadema's own brother would attempt to assassinate him.

He hoped that through the concerted efforts of West African leaders, it would be ensured that the sort of political troubles that hit countries like Cote d' Ivoire and others would not happen in Togo.

The Paramount chief of Aflao, Torgbui Fiti, who was accompanied by his sub-chiefs, commended Mr. Rawlings over his historic role as the President of Ghana. He cited the building of schools and a cement factory at Aflao among many others.

According to him, comparing the deeds of Mr. Rawlings to others who fought for the nation, he deserved to be crowned as 'Awaklawsu' - the sovereign warrior. They however appealed to the government to tar the Denu to Aflao road.

The Member of Parliament for ketu South, Albert Kwasi Zigah, who accompanied the chiefs, promised that government would do its best to tar the road and support in the rehabilitation of schools in the area.