Rawlings calls for support for government

Former President Jerry John Rawlings has called on Ghanaians to support the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government to succeed. He said there was no need for people to sit down for things to get out of hand before they react.

Flt-Lt Rawlings was speaking at a rally, which coincided with a one-day seminar for the women's wing of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the inauguration of the Ashanti Regional women's, working committee of the party in Kumasi on Friday.

Flt-Lt Rawlings said the NDC would bounce back and asked the women to extend their activities to win more members to their fold. He said Ghana is a noble country and the government must respect the dignity of the people by always telling the truth.

Rawlings who is the founder of the NDC party urged the government to ensure that justice is done in the Yendi crisis, so that the perpetrators are brought to book to ensure peace and unity in the area.

Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, the former First Lady, said unity, love for the NDC party was crucial at this moment the party was out of power, stressing that there was the need for members not to allow anybody to infiltrate their ranks. "We know where we came from, where we have reached and where we are going", she said. Nana Konadu asked the members to avoid squabbles, hatred and back-biting and work together as a team.

She expressed regret about the lies being peddled by certain radio stations about her family. "When we started, I and my husband committed ourselves to the building of this nation and it is rather unfortunate that now people stand accusing us, knowing very well that they are not telling the truth".

The party’s first national vice-chairman, Alhaji Huudu Yahaya, said the party shall always stand by the truth and asked the members to remain loyal to the party. He called on them to return home and register at their various branches if they have not done so and collect party cards and start organising the people for the 2004 general elections.

Alhaji Yahaya attributed the low turnout during the district level elections to the way it was politicised as partisan, stressing that the electorate listen to the media critically. Mr. Daniel Ohene Agyekum, former Ashanti Regional Minister, called on members to map out strategies to ensure that the party wins the 2004 elections at all cost.