Rawlings takes up UN appointment

Accra - Ghana's President Jerry John Rawlings, ending his term of office at midnight on Saturday, said he accepted an invitation from United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan to become a goodwill ambassador promoting the spirit of voluntarism this year.

Rawlings said while pursuing the task of voluntarism he would point to Ghana as a proud example of the voluntary spirit.

He was speaking in Accra shortly after he received honours from Ghanaian armed forces, over which he presided for almost two decades.

The ceremony, marked with a colourful parade by the troops, was the military's way of bidding farewell to its outgoing commander-in-chief, himself a former fighter pilot.

Main opposition candidate, John Agyekum Kufuor, elected president in a presidential runoff held on December 28, will be inaugurated on Sunday as Rawlings' successor.

Rawlings said the election was an eloquent testimony to the fact he had laid good foundations for true democracy in his country, adding: "we leave it to history to offer the final judgement as to how much we have done".

"My conviction is that history, rather than the severe and at times, unkind critics, will be fair and just to me."

He denied that he was against multi-party system. "This is a misunderstanding of my honest expression of misgivings, based on our country's past experiences about the potential waste of time, resources, energy and social harmony which can arise from partisan antagonism..."

The military chiefs also honoured Rawlings' wife, Konadu and his 22-year old daughter, Ezanetor.

A pilot like her father, Ezanetor was honoured as the youngest woman in Ghana to successfully complete 110 hours of flying.

In a related development Rawlings conferred national awards on a number of people including two Catholic priests for their outstanding services to humanity.

They also included service commanders, top civil servants and some senior police officers who have served the nation in their various capacities.

The award ceremony, held at the Military Academy and Training School, was the president's last act as head of state.