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02.06.2004 General News

Rawlings Bans Ya-Na’s T-Shirts

02.06.2004 LISTEN
By Heritage

The founder and kingmaker of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Flt. Lt. Jerry John Rawlings, has issued a fiat which effectively outlaws the printing and uses of the portrait f the late Ya-Na Yakubu Andani on T-shirts or any other party paraphernalia at NDC rallies and gatherings.

At a meeting in his residence recently with the upper crust of the party, which was also attended by some selected students of the University of Ghana, the ex-President expressed his discomfort with the use of the NDC T-shirts with the late Ya-na's portrait embossed at the front.

Insider sources say the former President's de facto decree on his party is an apparent reaction to speculations that a section of NDC supporters are still bent on using the murdered Ya-na's image on T-shirts for propaganda purposes in spite of earlier denials from the party's top hierarchy.

The source told newsmen that ex-President Rawlings has been very concerned over the use of the late Ya-na's T-shirts by some NDC elements for propaganda purposes “and this obviously contradicts his (Rawlings) efforts over the years to nurture a peaceful co-habitation between the Abudus and the Andanis in the party”.

Some key members of the NDC who belong to opposing sides of the Dagbon feud include Mr Mohammed Mumuni, MP for Kumbungu and Minority spokesman on Legal and Constitutional Affairs, who is an Andani, while Mr Hudu Yahahya, an Executive Member of the party is an Abudu.

During the meeting, ex-President Rawlings reportedly warned that nobody within the NDC would that nobody within the NDC would be allowed to destroy the unity of the two feuding factions at Dagbon.

Ex-President Rawlings, who has taken a lot of flak from a section of the media over allegations that he was fanning the flames of the Dagbon crisis, said in his submissions at the meeting that his open-door policy to both clans during his administration facilitated the co-existence and understanding that exists between them within the NDC.

Insiders told this reporter that the ex-President is keen on contributing to restore peace in Dagbon to pave the way for a healthy election campaign at the area. According to sources close to the ex-President, it is his belief that the area would be the second electoral 'World Bank' for the NDC if a proper campaign is conducted to get “moderate” Abudus on board. Newsmen have gathered that Flt. Lt. Rawlings' worst political nightmare would be the eruption of a stormy situation that would give the government an excuse to control campaign or political activities at the area.

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