On The Speech & Arrest of Rawlings

WE, members of the North-America Cordinating Council of the NDC, having read, digested and analysed the political statement delivered by former President Jerry John Rawlings at Aboabo in the Asokwa East Constituency in Kumasi on August 9, 2002 at the inauguration of the Women's Wing of the NDC in Ashanti, hereby decry the unattractive , unprovoked and undeserving treatment meted to the former president of the Republic and the founder of our party for essentially speaking the mind and concerns of the ordinary man on the street now going through excruciating poverty caused by inhuman policies of an inept administration.

Words in the speech ought not to be stretched to conjure treasonable or seditious? undertone as claimed by those bent on criminalising a fair and free speech as guaranteed by the 1992 Constitution of Ghana.

The former President's treatment thus far leaves us to wonder whether our new current democratic dispensation can still be classified as one of freedom and justice as applicable to the universal Rule of Law. One wonders whether the former President's statement in its worst interpretation could not be akin to "Kume Preko" and "Sieme Preko" and other "Preko" speeches during the rule of the NDC-led government. In no way can this speech be misconstrued as one of inciting a coup-d'etat.

We, therefore, entreat the NPP Government and its functionaries to cease and desist from ill- treatment of the former President Jerry John Rawlings as well as members of the opposition and its leadership.

The people of Ghana are watching for signs of freedom and justice in our land!

Long Live democracy and the rule of law in Ghana.

God bless our homeland Ghana.

Signed

Ebby Koney Chairman, NACC-NDC

Simon Adzraku 1st Vice Chairman, NACC-NDC

Dr. Ago M. Quaye Special Projects, NACC-NDC

Musah Ahmed Member, NY

Francis Ameyaw Inter Chapter Coordinator

Zac Adamah 2nd Vive Chairman