The Volta Regional Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Henry Kwadzo Ametepe, has intimated that, claims which purported that, the late Former President and founder of the National Democratic Congress, Flt. Lieutenant Jerry John Rawlings, left the party whiles he was alive is untrue.
Speaking during a vigil held for the President, at the Jubilee park in Ho in the Volta Region, he posited that, the late President use to advise the party on many issues whiles he was alive.
He further said that, although the former President was mostly perceived to be fighting the party as a result of his public admonishing and criticism of the NDC on certain matters, he had his heart with the party regardless.
“We are being told that, JJ was no longer part of the NDC but I want you to know that at the time, he was just behaving like a statesman; he only wanted to ensure that wherever he was, his principles were being upheld but whenever we went behind the scenes, he would advise us as to how things should be done.”
Mr. Ametepe further said that, no group of persons can celebrate Mr. Rawlings better than the party he has founded which is the NDC.
“JJ can only be remembered by the party he has founded, defended and strengthened with his philosophy and principles -probity and accountability.”
Also highlighting on the achievements by the late President whiles he was alive, he made mention of the Volta region seeing a tremendous transformation under Rawlings’ regime in the road sector, extension of electricity into the region, provision of good drinkable water and the building of several other infrastructural facilities including the now Ho Teaching hospital and the Sogakope district hospital.
Recounting his working relationship with the late former President, Mr. Ametepe said Rawlings was a commoner, who has compassion for Ghanaians, while adding that he was an honest, modest but a principled being who had so much respect for the Ghanaian people.
Togbe Kasa III of Ho-Ahoe, also reading a tribute on behalf of the traditional authority in the region, indicated that Mr. Rawlings was a man of peace and had so much respect for chiefs while he was serving as a President adding that, his death is a big loss to both the state and most especially, the Volta region, where he hailed from.
This vigil came off as part of series of activities and events in the Volta region outlined by the NDC in the region to mourn and celebrate the life of the party founder and the late President.
The vigil saw tributes read from traditional rulers, the Volta MPs caucus, the Zongo community, market women, old cadres, the party’s youth and women wings amongst others.
The NDC founder and late President, Jerry John Rawlings, is reported to have died, at the Korle-Bu Teaching hospital in Accra, on Thursday 12th November, 2020 after a short illness at the age of 73.
