Former President, Flt Lt. Jerry John Rawlings says he does not know the message of hope to deliver to the people at the next election campaign because of the inability of the NDC government to offer hope to the people and wondered why people see his criticism of President Mills as a personality clash.

He said: ³The best hope we could have given the people was to give them back the justice they lost in the previous regime. I have mentioned poor enquiries in the Molbilla and other cases and called for more thorough investigations.²

³The sad thing is that when I criticise then they make it a Rawlings versus Mills issue.²

Former President Rawlings was speaking during a courtesy call on him by a delegation of Chiefs, Members of Parliament, Regional Ministers, DCE¹s and other identifiable groups from the Upper West Region.

³I am grateful you are here to commiserate with us over the destruction of our residence by fire but what pains me most is the current state of Ghana. I wish I could put you back on the bus and send you to the Castle to ask the President a few questions. I do not know the message of hope he can give the people at the next campaign.

³What is happening is taking away the sense of hope. The rank and file will desert the government, if it does not act appropriately,² former President Rawlings said.

The former President said it was imperative that thorough investigations be made into all the shady deals made by the NPP government and the criminals prosecuted.

³We need to wake up and let the government know what is going wrong. If we keep quiet we shall regret tomorrow for our silence. We will suffer more pain than we did in the eight years prior to 2009. NDC derives its strength from a united people; NPP derives its strength from a disunited people.²

A member of the delegation, Council of State member Alhaji Mahama Iddrisu said the Upper West Region owed a lot of gratitude to the former President for the efforts he put into the creation of the region and the extension of electricity there when all the experts thought it was not possible.

³We are sad to hear your pain. We should have come earlier but we had to delay because of the outbreak of Cerebro Spinal Meningitis (CSM) in the region. Our chiefs and opinion leaders were working hard to contain the disease. The situation is now under control.

³We are here to show our sympathy, love, and respect to you and your family. You lost valuable property not only for you but this country,² he said.

The delegation presented the former first couple with gifts. Other members of the delegation included the Mole Naa, Bole Naa, Jirapa Naa known in private life as Mr. Peter Nanfuri, Minister for Works and Housing Alban Bagbin, Deputy Majority Leader Rashid Pelpuo, Regional Minister Mahmud Khalid and NDC Regional Chairman Alhaji Malik Issahaku.

Former First Lady, President of the 31st December Women¹s Movement and Deputy Chairman of the NDC, Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings thanked the delegation for their show of ³love, warmth, solidarity and kindness.²

Also at the remains of the former President¹s residence to express his sympathy were the Regent of Tamale Alhaji Ziblim Abdulai and a retinue of sub chiefs.

The Regent expressed his sadness at the loss of the former President¹s residence and prayed for strength and success for him and the family. He also presented smocks, cloths and a cow to the family.

Visit Former President Rawlings¹ blog site - http://jjrawlings.wordpress.com/