Cadres urge Armed Forces to be loyal to Constitution

Accra, May 16, GNA - United Cadres Front (UCF) on Monday urged officers and men of the Ghana Armed Forces to remain faithful to the Constitution.

They should also be forthright in bringing to the notice of the Military High Command and political authority the evils of society, which invited uprisings such as that of May 15, 1979. This was contained in a statement signed by Mr P.K. Abonie, National Chairman of the Front, to mark the 27th anniversary of the May 15 mutiny that brought former President Jerry Rawlings onto the Ghanaian political scene.

UCF said it was saluting "the gallant officers and men of the Ghana Armed Force, under the leadership of Flt. Lt. Rawlings on the occasion of the 27th Anniversary of the May 15, 1979 revolt for putting their lives on the line to liberate the country from the Supreme Military Council junta".

The Front lauded Fo rmer President Rawlings for the selflessness, bravery and sense of responsibility he displayed when he claimed sole responsibility for the 'high offence of treason' by urging the Court Martial to 'leave my men alone'.

It also saluted all the progressives in the intellectual community including barristers and academics that mobilized forces to defend the leaders of the revolt till they were eventually freed by the June Four Uprising. It also praised 31st December Women's Movement for adopting the day as its Founding Day.

Former President Rawlings, then a Flight Lieutenant in the Air Force led a mutiny against the Supreme Military Council. They were arrested and while on trial, he was freed by junior officers and other ranks to lead the June 4 Uprising. 16 May 06