Ex-President Rawlings calls on former NDC leaders to join campaign

Former President Flight Lieutenant Jerry John Rawlings on Tuesday called on former executives of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) from across the country to hit the party's Election 2012 Campaign trail.      "I enjoin all of you here to hit the campaign trail. Your input is valuable to the cause so don't go back home and watch from the sidelines," former President stated during interaction with over 100 former NDC executives, who called on him to encourage him to join the campaign trail to ensure victory for the NDC in the December elections.      President Rawlings said: "My dear friends and senior colleagues; I am also deeply touched by your plea that I overlook the deep problems our party has encountered since 2009 and join the campaign trail.     "I have in recent public statements expressed my desire to see the NDC win the election and have also expressed the feeling that John Mahama has brought some sense of hope to the NDC.      "We may however have to call on our dear brothers and sisters in the NDP, the party leadership and membership to consider seriously withdrawing parliamentary candidates from constituencies where the NDC has credible candidates.      "I hope to play my part in this election period. I am four years older than I was in 2008 and all the exertion plus my international roles mean I am a tired man. I was hoping to retire after the last election but unfortunately things did not fall in place the way they should have.     "We must keep the channels of communication open so we can work hand in hand tore-ignite the revolution to restore our party to its rightful position of respect and value in our society.     "Corruption and injustice have never had and will not ensure any future in national governance".      President Rawlings also noted that he wished the current crop of party executives would take a cue from the level of deep commitment and love exhibited in the past by the former executives.      The NDC founder said even as young faces were introduced into the party, the NDC should not ignore the old experienced hands, who still had so much to offer.     He explained that his recent past criticism of the party was always done with deep pain, but failure to do so would be a betrayal of the people who held the party up and gave it a life.     He stressed: "Your statements here today are not cosmetic and will be followed up with real action and words of reproach and action to the current leaders of the party, some of whom approach party issues as if they have no understanding of the issues that affect the ordinary people of Ghana.     "As a party we have failed in several aspects of governance, particularly with respect to offering confidence to the people that they will receive justice at all times. I need not delve into the details because you are aware of these and I have stated them several times over".      In an address read on behalf of the group by Alhaji Abdallah Ahmed Abdallah (aka Alhaji PMC), the former executives said: "it is our belief that your party needs to be revolutionized and reinvigorated.     "We as former executive of this party from various levels can, therefore, not continue to sit idle when just a few people in the name of being executives of the party or ministers of state engage in acts that have the tendency to destroy this great party of ours.     "We share with your concerns and we are here to identify with you. We also will want to inform you of plans we have put in place to help in the 2012 general elections.     "…Our campaign machinery cannot fly without your involvement. We have witnessed our campaigns in the past and can say without fear or favour that your absence on the trail is not a good development.     Mr. Kofi Adams, spokesperson for the former President enjoined the former executives to strengthen their front and constitute themselves into a formidable group or organization so they could offer valuable advice and input to the party's progress.     Notable former executives who called on President Rawlings were Nana Osei Bonsu, former National Vice-Chairman, Kofi Mintah, former Central Regional Chairman, Kofi Sarfo; former Eastern Regional Chairman and Nana Nimpong, founding member fromBrong Ahafo.     Others are Hajia Tanato Yakubu, former Northern Regional Women's Organiser and Iddrisu Ismaila, a former Constituency Chairman in the Northern region.

GNA