Rawlings Roars

(Daily Guide) -- THE FORMER President and founder of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Jerry John Rawlings, in the company of other party stalwarts, yesterday stormed the Offinso South Constituency, lambasting the Kufuor administration and accusing it of implementing policies that had stagnated the nation’s economic progress.

Speaking at a well-attended mini-rally at Abofour, near Offinso where he added life to the NDC campaign to capture the vacant parliamentary seat, the former president accused the Kufuor Admnistration of being infested with corruption, stealing and hypocrisy, which he said, have accounted for the under-development of the nation.

Characteristic of the NDC founder, Jerry told the rally that it was shameful and disgraceful to be a follower or supporter of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), which he accused of rigging the 2004 general elections.

He charged NDC supporters and activists to be bold and resist any attempt by the ruling government to rig any future elections in the country.

Rawlings, whose presence at the constituency indeed added some vitality to the hitherto lifeless NDC campaigning, was in full flight firing on all cylinders.

He charged members of his party to rise up and fight for their freedom, adding that the soldiers and the police are prepared to back them.

Seemingly oblivious of the human rights abuses recorded in his regime, the former military dictator contended that in 1979, 1982 and between 1992 and 2000, the country enjoyed real freedom and justice, adding that President Kufuor’s party deceived the electorate into voting it to power.

He told the rally that the time would come when the NPP government would succeed in deceiving and depriving people of their daily bread and their limited resources.

While at Abofuor to console the bereaved families whose relations died in a motor accident last Sunday, the former president debunked gossips that the deceased persons died in the accident for the sake of Ms Barbra Serwaah Asamoah, the NDC’s candidate.

He said God forbid that party supporters would die for a person seeking political office, stressing that those who lost their lives in the accident passed away for freedom and justice.

He maintained that if he dies today, he would have died for freedom and justice.

He urged the electorate to vote for Barbara as a means of immortalising the three departed supporters.

When he touched down at Offinso at about 11.30am, Jerry first paid a courtesy call on Nana Wiafe Akenten II, as well as chiefs in the Zongo Communities, before paying condolence visits to families of the deceased supporters.

He donated ¢1million to each of the bereaved families and urged them to stand firm with the consolation that their relations died as a result of their commitment to the fight for freedom and justice.

In his succinct remarks, the chief of Offinso, Nana Wiafe Akenten II, appealed to all contesting political parties to ensure that the by-election was conducted in a peaceful manner, devoid of intimidation and violence.

Several other NDC kingpins who accompanied the former president, addressed the rally.

They include Mr. Johnson Asiedu Nketia, general secretary, Ama Benyiwa Doe, national women’s organiser, Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, national organiser, Alhaji Sannie, Ashanti Regional first vice-chairman and Mr Ohene Agyekum, Ashanti Regional chairman.

The three NDC members whose untimely death allegedly prompted Rawlings to visit the constituency, were Salamantu Abdulai, Rashida Alidu, both Muslims, and Yaw Osei Owusu.

Salamatu and Rashida were buried on Monday according to Muslim rites, while Owusu’s remains would be interred today.