THE former President, Flt Lt Jerry John Rawlings, has described the 31st December Revolution as one that relit the flame of freedom and justice, awakening the Ghanaian to a renewed sense of patriotism and dedication.
He made the remarks in Tema when he addressed a symposium to commemorate the 28th anniversary of the 31st December Movement.
The programme was on the theme: The Spirit of the 31st Revolution, The Better Ghana Agenda.
The symposium was marked with a call on Ghanaians to remind themselves of the principles of probity, accountability,intergrity and justice.
Addressing a fully packed hall of cadres and members of the 31st December Women's Movement, he indicated that the revolution was based on the outcome of the June 4, 1979 uprising, an eruption created by the failure of successive governments to respect the sanctity of justice as well as the creation of equal opportunities for citizens of our country.
He explained that the call was necessary because of deterioration of the moral fibre in certain sections of the society.
Former President Rawlings said his heart bled because of some happenings within the NDC, which, if not checked, could affect the party.
He noted that “you must move with a united front to seek audience from the leadership and talk to them.”
He said the NDC was built on a foundation of visionary leadership and self discipline.
FL Lt Rawlings was of the view that most Ghanaians who believed in the national motto of Freedom and Justice, irrespective of their political affiliations, would expect that a government born out of noble principles would act more expeditiously to uphold justice.
He said the party would go to congress early next year, and urged delegates to elect individuals who had credibility and shown genuine commitment to the party.
He said as they remembered the day, the cadres needed to question their continued sense of dedication to its ideals and questioned if after 28 years the flame was not in danger of being extinguished by their inaction as a political force.
Former President Rawlings was not happy that those who worked hard to bring the party to power had been shown disrespect by their own colleagues, which prompted him to send words of advice to them .
He stated that the pieces of advice was not taken and they continued to do wrong things which further prompted him to come out once a while to the public domain .
Flt Lt Rawlings said that was not taken kindly and he was therefore therefore criticised for speaking against wrong things .
He said he would not keep quiet but ensure that the right thing was done by people in government and urged the cadres to also come out to talk about evil doings that he claimed were going on in the system The Ex- President assured the caders that he would not keep quiet but fight on till people in government changed their ways to justify the June 4 revolution .
The former First Lady Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings said women in Ghana took a bold step by coming together to form the 31st December Movement, which had corrected many negative tendencies which had hindered their progress.
She said 27 years ago the movement was formed based on the legacies and tenets of the 31st December Revoultion and called on them to hold high the flame to uphold the objectives of the NDC .
A Cadre, Madam Cecilia Akuerter who is aspiring to become the NDC Deputy National Organiser, urged women to step up advocacy for appointing more women to positions of responsibility.
She appealed to the government to fulfil its promise of achieving the 40 per cent appointment quota for women.
Other Speakers at the symposium included Mr Huudu Yahaya, who spoke on the 'Genesis and Effects of 31st December Revolution', Dr Ayerebi Acquah, who spoke on ' Achieving the sustainability of the ideals and gains of 31st December : Role of the patriotic Ghanaian '. and Nana Otuo Barima, who spoke on 'Labour participation in decision making at workplace in enhancing productivity — an ideal of 31st December'.
A minute's silence was observed for departed souls who fought to save the land.
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