Legacy of Rawlings cannot be downplayed- Adabere

Bolgatanga, Feb. 11, GNA- Mr. Donald Adabere, a leading member of the National Democratic Party (NDC), said the legacy of accountability, probity and selflessness exhibited by former President John Jerry Rawlings during his rule could not be downplayed.

He expressed worry that the legacy of the former President was being ndermined and attempts were also made to sweep it under the carpet.

Mr Adabere said these in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) at Bolgatanga on Sunday, after the Upper East Region branch of the NDC inaugurated the Youth for Leadership Organization, a wing of the party.

The group had been tasked to promote, project, sustain and instil in the youth the legacy of former President Rawlings for posterity.

Mr Adabere, patron of the organisation, said "political opponents must stop using media propaganda to thwart the legacy of former President Rawlings during his regime. He is next to President Kwame Nkrumah, the first President of the Republic of Ghana."

He said under the administration of the former President Rawlings, corruption and armed robbery were reduced to the minimum but of late under the present government the situation had worsen.

Mr Adabere, who swore the eleven-member executive of the organisation into office, appealed to NDC youth to map out pragmatic strategies to enable the party recapture power in the 2008 Election to relief Ghanaians of their plight.

Mr. Abubakar Musah Sidii, national chairman of the organization, said the group would apply effective strategies to achieve its objectives.

The executives were Mr Anongdare Peter, chairman, Mr Majeed Alhassan, vice chairman, Mr Jonathan Abdala, Secretary, Mr Akansake Isaac, vice secretary, and Mr Ame-Etigo Rockson, organising secretary.

The rest were Mr Anibila Felix, vice organizer, Ms Janet Adongo, treasurer, Mr Awaafo Eric, vice Treasurer, Mr Anaba Simon, public relations officer, and Mr. Augustine Simon and Mr. Edward Asekere operation ream managers.