Johnson Asiedu Nketia, National Chairman of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC), has emphasized that the values of former President Jerry John Rawlings, founder of the party, should serve as a guiding principle for Ghanaians.

He said the purpose of celebrating the birthday of the party’s founder was to reflect on and learn from his principles—such as probity and accountability, punctuality, positive defiance, belief in democracy, and the need for regular lifestyle audits.

A statement issued by the Office of the Former President, and copied to the Ghana News Agency, indicated that Mr. Nketia made the remarks at a well-attended ceremony organized by the NDC on Sunday in Accra to commemorate what would have been former President Rawlings’ 78th birthday.

Mr. Nketia stated that such commemorative events are an opportunity to redefine the nation’s values.

“There is no country that has developed without national values. Today, for us in the NDC, we have something to talk about. But if you ask the nation—as a Ghanaian—what our aspirations are, what we believe in, what represents our code of conduct, we do not have [a clear answer],” he said.

He suggested that Ghana could draw inspiration from the values upheld by its great leaders and proposed that Parliament debate and define national values.

Mr. Nketia emphasized the importance of having clearly defined values to hold both leaders and citizens accountable when they deviate from those standards.

“I know that our founder espoused probity and accountability. It doesn’t matter where you are placed as a citizen—you must always remember that you have to account for your stewardship,” he said.

“Probity and accountability should not be understood only in terms of money. If you have been assigned a position of authority, remember that a day will come when you must explain and account to the citizens how you used that authority.”

Touching on the principle of positive defiance, Mr. Nketia explained that the late former President believed that if a superior was taking the wrong action, it was the duty of subordinates to speak up and distance themselves from it.

“If you do not listen to your conscience and choose to perpetuate the wrongdoing, you are equally liable—even if it was a superior’s directive.”

He stressed the need for Ghanaian youth to be educated about this bold principle.

Mr. Nketia also highlighted Rawlings’ democratic credentials, noting his commitment to broad consultations before taking decisions.

He cited instances when President Rawlings would visit Makola Market to consult with market queens and large-scale traders on whether the upcoming budget was acceptable.

He added that President Rawlings was a stickler for punctuality and believed strongly in lifestyle audits, convinced that “time is money.”

Mr. Nketia recalled that Rawlings always apologized whenever he was unavoidably late and insisted that those who worked with him account for any unexplained wealth if he suspected they were living above their means.

Kimathi Agyeman-Rawlings, son of the late former President, attended the event with his sister, Madam Amina Agyeman-Rawlings. He recalled their father’s unwavering commitment to the meaningful participation of all Ghanaians in governance, which led to the establishment of Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies enshrined in the 1992 Constitution.

“As we mark this special day, we are reminded of his vision for a better Ghana—his courage in the face of adversity, his passion for justice, and his unwavering dedication to the welfare of the Ghanaian people—all of which are reflected in the directive principles of state policy under the 1992 Constitution,” Kimathi said.

He described his father’s legacy as having left an indelible mark on Ghana’s national history and thanked the NDC for keeping his vision alive, referring to the party as a "beacon of hope and a protective umbrella" for the Ghanaian people.

He also expressed the family’s gratitude for the solemn ceremony and prayed that President Rawlings’ memory would continue to inspire the nation to build a better Ghana.

Earlier, Fiifi Fiavi Kwetey, General Secretary of the NDC, said former President Rawlings was born for a great purpose.

He acknowledged that although Rawlings, like all human beings, was not perfect, those close to him recognized his deep love for people, his country, and humanity.

Mr. Kwetey said Rawlings often spoke of the "sovereignty of the human spirit," which he interpreted as the sovereignty of the divine spirit manifested through humanity.

Waxing spiritual, he said the emergence of Rawlings was foretold as early as 1972, when people had dreams and prophecies about a young man destined to lead Ghana.

He noted that from the very beginning, Rawlings symbolized a reset for the nation, having understood and connected deeply with its soul.

“We went into the 2024 election with the clarion call of resetting Ghana.
If there’s ever a time to understand what the reset mantra truly means, it must begin with us—especially those of us in the NDC.
This is the moment and this is the day that we must grasp that,” Mr. Kwetey said.

Other speakers included Nana Ato Dadzie, a former Chief of Staff, and Naval Captain Asaasie Gyimah.

Notable dignitaries present at the event included Alhaji Mahama Iddrisu, Chairman of the NDC Council of Elders; Chief Bawumia of the Council of Elders; Dr. Christine Amoako-Nuamah; and Madam Akua Sena Dansua.