Rawlings' coup mate advises Ghanaians

Ghanaians, especially the youth, have been called upon to be guided by the full force of historical facts to determine their choice of the kind of leader they vote for in the December 28 presidential run off.

Speaking at a press conference to launch his book titled "Rawlings - murder and lies', Corporal (Rtd) Matthew Adabuga, a key member of the architects of the 31 December 1981 revolution, pointed out that the choices Ghanaians make today will determine the kind of 'future our children will have'.

According to him, given the true nature of former President Rawlings, founder of the National Democratic Congress, it is not possible for Prof Evans Atta Mills, the party's presidential candidate, if he wins Sunday"s elections, to rule without any interference from Rawlings as being claimed by the party.

 He insists the former President is not a man who shares power.

In the book he says is aimed at preserving history and giving a true account of what actually happened during the 31 December 1981 revolution, Cpl (Rtd) Adabuga alleged that former President Rawlings' thirst for power has made him [Rawlings] to eliminate all those who helped him to attain power, either by killing, imprisonment or exile through threats and intimidations.

He said 'Prof Atta Mills is not important because he is only a pawn', adding, 'The NDC is Rawlings and Rawlings is the NDC. Rawlings has the money and the power within the NDC'. He indicated that it is important for Ghanaians to know the truth about Rawlings since they are in danger of being misled.

Cpl Adabuga disclosed that most of the facts of what actually happened on 31 December 1981 were hidden from Ghanaians and unfortunately not many accounts have been written about this period of Ghana's history due to fear of government and the military which was encouraged by the P(NDC).

'As you know, these events though very important in our nation's history, took place more than twenty six years ago. It is likely that Ghanaians who were ten years old then would not remember much, if any, of what actually happened in 1981,' he said.

According to him, it is important to remind the electorate, especially the youth, who do not know these historical events to inform their choice in deciding which political party to rule this country in the next four years.

Cpl Adabuga maintained that he was the person who led the fighting and eventual success of the 31 December 1981 coup. He said he was young, misled and fooled by Rawlings' lies.

He described the former President as a 'coward' because he wanted to run away in the heat of the fighting. Cpl Adabuga further accused Ghana's most consistent coup maker of creating and feeding tribal tensions in the country.

'Rawlings' use of tribalism against his opponents is legendary. In the 1980's he pushed the Ewes against the Ashantis; recently in the Central Region he asked voters to vote for Prof Mills because Prof Mills is a fante; in the Eastern Region the party's propaganda machinery is working voters up by setting Ashantis against the Akyems. In the Northern Region the NDC message is that the Ashanti's look down on northerners,' he stressed.

According to Cpl Adabug, 'Rawlings and the NDC cannot unite Ghanaians'. He consequently challenged the former President to come out and deny the allegations against him.

'If Rawlings is a man, he must come out and face me before the people of Ghana. I have the facts and the truth, all he has are lies, deceit and murder,' he added.