Rawlings calls for national unity

Accra (Greater Accra) 8 Jan. '99

President Jerry John Rawlings has called for national unity and appealed to every citizen to make an extra effort to do away with the vicious politics of lies, hatred and prejudice. ''We may have our differences of opinion as individuals and as political and social groupings, but our commitment to the long term national interest must over-ride sectional interests'', he said. The President was addressing a parade of the Security Services and some voluntary organisations at the Independence Square to mark the sixth anniversary of the Fourth Republic. He said seeking the national interest is valid for those in high office and positions of trust, those who aspire to such positions as well as for ''each and everyone of us in everything we do''. ''As a government, it will be wrong for us to claim monopoly of solutions to all our national problems. That is why this government upholds the principle of consultation. Likewise, to be in opposition does not mean you should oppose everything under the sun''. President Rawlings called for a rejection of ''politics of destruction'' which, he said, has become the pastime of some Ghanaians especially in the media. He added that this could easily lead to the destruction of the national sense of purpose and direction. ''As a nation, we should not create a situation where good people will be afraid to take part in government for fear of being subjected to public ridicule, undue harassment and embarrassment''. He said the Fourth Republic has made significant progress and suggested that the nation should have a more frequent recourse to consensus. This, the President went on, would reduce ''antagonistic polarisation'' which diverts time, resources and attention from national progress.