Reject Non-Performing MPs Says Rawlings

FORMER PRESIDENT Jerry John Rawlings has called on National Democratic Congress (NDC) faithful in particular to be wary of an alleged plan by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the Democratic Freedom Party (DFP) to influence their constituency executives to impose 'weak' parliamentary candidates on them in the 2008 general elections.

“Those of us in the executive must wake up to the candidate the people want. We should not take bribe from NPP and DFP contractors and impose our own choice on them,” he said.

Speaking to a large crowd of party faithful in Akatsi in the Volta Region last Sunday to launch the NDC membership card and raise funds for the party in the Avenor-Ave Constituency, Flt. Lt. Rawlings said, “if we make the mistake and choose the wrong candidates who are not electable and yet the electables are not elected, we will regret it.”

Former President Rawlings therefore urged the party faithful not to vote for MPs who did not live up to expectation and had woefully performed in parliament.

He accused some of the MPs of being arrogant and disrespectful, having no regard for the sensitivity of the electorate who voted them into power.

Flt. Lt. Rawlings recommended the retention of MPs who performed well in parliament to enable them continue with their good work.

He reminded the electorate, especially those whose houses had been affected by floods in the various parts of the country and those whose houses were demolished by city authorities, to quickly organise themselves and secure voter ID cards for the next elections.

Former President Rawlings urged the electorate to do “everything possible to protect the election of 2008 from being rigged.”

He again urged NDC members to contribute towards the running of the party so that they (electorate) become the owners of the party and not Rawlings and Prof. Atta Mills.

On the situation in Anloga, Flt. Lt. Rawlings blamed politicians for the disputes and said they have “desecrated the institution of chieftaincy in Ghana.”

The Volta Regional Chairman of NDC, Modestus Ahiable noted that the NDC provided social amenities in the region and that it was not true that the region was neglected by the party.

He blamed the teething problems of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) on the government, saying government rushed the programme.

Hon. Edward Doe Adjaho, MP for Ave-Avenor, said he was not happy with how the police handle matters in the country.

He mentioned in particular a near clash with the NPP in the area over the use of the Roman School park, even when they (NDC) had complied with the Public Order Act and appealed to the Police not to be used by politicians especially in the forthcoming elections.

Other speakers included the constituency chairman, A.K Wemegah, who pledged the unflinching support of the constituency to the party.

Hon. Adjaho and one Dr. Alfred Agodzo bought the first two cards for GH¢2,000 (¢20 million) while Hon. Albert Ziga, MP for Ketu South, Joe Gidisu, MP, Central Tongu and Clement Kofi Humado, MPfor Anlo bought the card for Gh¢500 (¢5 million).

The card was launched by Madam Bertha Amenumey, Deputy National Treasurer of the NDC.

From Wisdom Peter Awuku-Akatsi