THE FOUNDER of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC), Flt. Lt. Jerry John Rawlings has once again tasked President John Evans Atta Mills to demonstrate that he has the ability to rule the country by stopping the armed robbery menace which is threatening the security of the country.

“We need to take a swift action on all these wrongs and nip the seeming insecurity in the bud. We need to work hard to redeem the image of the party because the members are not too happy about some developments. We need to do a lot to revive the image and credibility of our party,” he said.

At a meeting with some NDC functionaries from the Volta Region and some Ministers in his house recently, Flt. Lt. Jerry John Rawlings stated that the armed-robbery and other security threats were not normal but politically motivated.

He alleged that during the reign of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), ammunitions were procured by some individuals and these weapons are now being used by the people not only to rob, but also to terrorize both foreigners and business men in an attempt to denigrate the image of the ruling government.

The NDC founder told the delegation that what was going on in the country with regard to armed-robbery and other vices were synonymous to the serial killings of 34 women that happened under his regime, so as to paint the government black. To this end, he urged the government and all officials to crack the whip and take serious steps to control the situation. “We need to act quickly to indicate that we are in charge of the security of the nation,” he said.

Warning the government to be careful of the 2012 general elections, Mr. Rawlings said low-keyed enthusiasm among the populace was the direct result of the Government's failure to replace officials appointed by the party's opponents (the NPP). He said the government's inability to quickly and swiftly replace the appointees of the previous NPP government in sensitive areas, has given such appointees a leeway to behave as if they are still in government by doing everything to frustrate the actions of the government.

Turning his attention to the serving Ministers, he admonished them to leave above reproach and work to the best of their abilities to serve mother Ghana.

In addition, he asked them to place premium on the nation before their individual interest.

“You are the Ministers of state and you have a duty to serve the people and state of Ghana. You must not join some of your colleagues who will whitewash the situation and say all is well. Please wake up,” he said.

The delegation was led by a member of the Council of State, Dr Bernard Glover, who is also a patron of the party in the South Tongu constituency.

Other members of the delegation were Mr. Modestus Ahiable, Volta Regional chairman, recently given an ambassadorial position, Hon. Joseph Amenorwode, Volta Regional Minister and Member of Parliament for Hohoe South; Mr. Joe Gidisu, Minister of Roads and Highways and also North Tongu constituency legislator, Mrs. Juliana Azuma-Mensah, Minister of Tourism; Ms Akua Sena Dansua, Minister of Women and Children's Affairs and MP for North Dayi, Mr. Francis Ganyaglo, Volta Regional Secretary of the NDC, now the District Chief Executive for Kpando and a host of others. In a related development, the former President has urged business partners to do their businesses in a transparent manner. According to him, most transaction under President Kufuor's regime were shrouded in secrecy.

Mr. Rawlings made this comment when Neil Bush, a junior brother of US former President, George Bush and some businessmen paid a courtesy call on him.

The NDC founder urged them to have confidence in the NDC government and to ensure that they leave above reproach. Source: Bismark Bebli - Ghanaian Chronicle