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.
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Friday, January 1, 2010
TEMA ROADS TO BE REHABILITATED (PAGE 18, JAN 1)
THE National Procurement Board has given approval for the rehabilitation of roads in the Tema metropolis at an approximate cost of over GH¢10 million.
Rehabilitation works will include upgrading the Calvary Road at Lashibi, the ‘Tone Love’ and ‘Sign board ‘ roads at Klagon, and the ‘His Presence’ road at Lashibi.
Other roads to be rehabilitated are the Ashaiman–Zenu, the Tema Oil Refinery and Kpone roads, the Hospital and Beach roads, roads at Meridian, Community 2, Salifu Dagati and Road 51.
In addition, there will be asphaltic overlay along the roads in the central business areas of Tema Community One and the Republic Road.
In an interview, the Metropolitan Chief Executive, Mr Robert Kempes Ofosuware, told the Daily Graphic that work would start immediately after the Christmas holidays.
He indicated that in his maiden address to the assembly on assumption of office, he had promised that the deteriorating condition of the roads in Tema would be one of his major concerns and that he would take steps to have them rehabilitated in the shortest time possible.
Mr Ofosuware said the nature of the roads in Tema was an embarrassment to the government.
He was happy that within 11 months in office, the assembly was on the verge of addressing one of the major concerns that bothered residents.
Mr Ofosuware said the next step would be to make Tema recapture its past glory and asked all residents to assist to find solutions to the problems, which included the erection of structures at unapproved areas.
He stated that the assembly was prepared to assist the security agencies to fight armed robbery and other vices and urged residents to be law abiding.
Some residents whom the Daily Graphic spoke with were happy and expressed the hope that work would start as indicated and be completed on time.
Rehabilitation works will include upgrading the Calvary Road at Lashibi, the ‘Tone Love’ and ‘Sign board ‘ roads at Klagon, and the ‘His Presence’ road at Lashibi.
Other roads to be rehabilitated are the Ashaiman–Zenu, the Tema Oil Refinery and Kpone roads, the Hospital and Beach roads, roads at Meridian, Community 2, Salifu Dagati and Road 51.
In addition, there will be asphaltic overlay along the roads in the central business areas of Tema Community One and the Republic Road.
In an interview, the Metropolitan Chief Executive, Mr Robert Kempes Ofosuware, told the Daily Graphic that work would start immediately after the Christmas holidays.
He indicated that in his maiden address to the assembly on assumption of office, he had promised that the deteriorating condition of the roads in Tema would be one of his major concerns and that he would take steps to have them rehabilitated in the shortest time possible.
Mr Ofosuware said the nature of the roads in Tema was an embarrassment to the government.
He was happy that within 11 months in office, the assembly was on the verge of addressing one of the major concerns that bothered residents.
Mr Ofosuware said the next step would be to make Tema recapture its past glory and asked all residents to assist to find solutions to the problems, which included the erection of structures at unapproved areas.
He stated that the assembly was prepared to assist the security agencies to fight armed robbery and other vices and urged residents to be law abiding.
Some residents whom the Daily Graphic spoke with were happy and expressed the hope that work would start as indicated and be completed on time.
TEMA CELEBRATES GOLDEN JUBILEE (PAGE 18, JAN 1)
A member of the Council of State, Mr Emmanuel Adjei Annang, has launched the 50th anniversary celebration of the resettlement of the people of Tema.
Fifty years ago, the people of indigenous Tema, then known as Manmomo (Old Town) were moved to Manhean (Newtown) to pave way for the modernisation and industrialisation of the area as well as the construction of a harbour for Ghana.
The year-long celebration will be marked with visits to indigenous landmarks and lectures to highlight their roots.
In his address, Mr Annang urged the people of Manhean to reflect on the sacrifices they made for the benefit the nation.
He recounted how the people were forcefully moved from their original homes and re-settled for the then government to build the Tema Harbour to convey equipment for the construction of the Akosombo Dam.
Mr Annang said because of in-fighting, the sacrifice they made had turned into a curse.
He explained that the sacrifice had not benefited the new generation of the indigenes of Tema but had rather created poverty in the area.
Mr Annang appealed to the elders to halt the sale of the lands and channel revenue accrued from the sale of landed property into the development and education of the people.
He also urged them to inculcate their cultural values into their children who are the assets of the area and discard outmoded cultural values.
Mr Annang was optimistic that all these would not be achieved if the people did not unite. He, therefore, urged them to unite.
He also appealed to the stool elders to play a vital role to ensure peace and development .
Mr Annang noted that with the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the resettlement of the people of Tema , there should be a change to ensure positive development as a sign of their maturity .
The Tema Mantse, Nii Adjei Kraku, recounted the history of Tema and how the people had to be resettled at the present site .
He mentioned some areas which still had some signs of Old Tema and called on residents of Tema who are currently occupying modern flats and houses at the expense of the indigenous people to join in the celebration to mark the movement of the people to modernise Tema into an industrial city .
The Tema Metropolitan Chief Executive, Mr Robert Kempes Ofosuware, commended the people for accepting their resettlement despite the difficulty it created for them.
He said by agreeing to the resettlement 50 years ago, the chiefs and people of Tema had taken a very bold and patriotic decision which had enabled the government at the time to roll out Ghana’s industrialisation.
Mr Ofosuware commended the people for their sacrifices that enabled Dr Kwame Nkrumah to implement his great visi on which Ghana had benefited from.
Fifty years ago, the people of indigenous Tema, then known as Manmomo (Old Town) were moved to Manhean (Newtown) to pave way for the modernisation and industrialisation of the area as well as the construction of a harbour for Ghana.
The year-long celebration will be marked with visits to indigenous landmarks and lectures to highlight their roots.
In his address, Mr Annang urged the people of Manhean to reflect on the sacrifices they made for the benefit the nation.
He recounted how the people were forcefully moved from their original homes and re-settled for the then government to build the Tema Harbour to convey equipment for the construction of the Akosombo Dam.
Mr Annang said because of in-fighting, the sacrifice they made had turned into a curse.
He explained that the sacrifice had not benefited the new generation of the indigenes of Tema but had rather created poverty in the area.
Mr Annang appealed to the elders to halt the sale of the lands and channel revenue accrued from the sale of landed property into the development and education of the people.
He also urged them to inculcate their cultural values into their children who are the assets of the area and discard outmoded cultural values.
Mr Annang was optimistic that all these would not be achieved if the people did not unite. He, therefore, urged them to unite.
He also appealed to the stool elders to play a vital role to ensure peace and development .
Mr Annang noted that with the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the resettlement of the people of Tema , there should be a change to ensure positive development as a sign of their maturity .
The Tema Mantse, Nii Adjei Kraku, recounted the history of Tema and how the people had to be resettled at the present site .
He mentioned some areas which still had some signs of Old Tema and called on residents of Tema who are currently occupying modern flats and houses at the expense of the indigenous people to join in the celebration to mark the movement of the people to modernise Tema into an industrial city .
The Tema Metropolitan Chief Executive, Mr Robert Kempes Ofosuware, commended the people for accepting their resettlement despite the difficulty it created for them.
He said by agreeing to the resettlement 50 years ago, the chiefs and people of Tema had taken a very bold and patriotic decision which had enabled the government at the time to roll out Ghana’s industrialisation.
Mr Ofosuware commended the people for their sacrifices that enabled Dr Kwame Nkrumah to implement his great visi on which Ghana had benefited from.
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