Congratulating the President-elect on his win, Rawlings urges Akufo-Addo to take up the great responsibility of being committed to an “anti-corruption drive across-the-board”
Former President and founder of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Jerry John Rawlings urges Akufo-Addo, the President-elect, to use his jurisdiction as Ghana’s president to seriously fight corruption which has since plagued the country’s government and politics.
JJ Rawlings put across this call to Nana Addo in his congratulatory message to him on his election victory.
The Former President who had earlier blamed his position of having no executive powers in the country as the reason why he is handicapped in the fight against corruption, called on Nana Addo to ensure that all corrupt practices are properly dealt with under his administration.
He pointed out that Nana Addo’s victory is a reflection of the desire of Ghanaians for a new government as well as their trust in him [Nana] to confront the very many challenges being faced in the country.
Congratulating the President-elect on his win, Rawlings urges Akufo-Addo to take up the great responsibility of being committed to an “anti-corruption drive across-the-board.”
I write to extend my warm congratulations on the occasion of your electoral victory.
Your victory is a manifestation of the people’s desire for new leadership and comes with enormous responsibilities including a commitment to pursue an anti-corruption drive across-the-board.
Ghana faces huge challenges, many of which you promised to tackle during your campaign tours. You have been elected as President because the electorate believes you have the ability to confront these challenges and lead the country with fearlessness, humility and honesty. I commend you for committing to be a leader for all Ghanaians in your acceptance address.
The onus is on you to pursue a leadership that unifies the people so members of the losing side have no reason to feel insecure. I wish you the best of luck as you prepare to assume the mantle of leadership. God bless you and our homeland Ghana.
Akufo-Addo responded to Rawlings, promising to deliver an effective leadership as president. He also urged all members of the opposition to feel free as he will never engage on partial justice – what is commonly known as witch-hunting in his fight against corruption.
Rawlings’ Perceived Reluctant Support for NDC in This Year’s Election
It was clearly perceived throughout preparations for the 2016 elections that JJ Rawlings was giving a halfhearted support to the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) – a party he founded and still belongs to.
Some of Rawlings’ comments and attitudes prior to the elections betrayed his confidence in the ruling party. Several of his words and actions reflected an underlying distrust in the NDC as well as a desire for a change in government.
It could be recalled that Jerry Rawlings, in an interview the Nigerian Guardian, cleared Nana Addo and instead accused the NDC administration of corruption. He had said in the interview that although he is not in any administrative position which could help him take significant actions against corruption in the country, he still has the moral authority and obligation to speak up against it; and that, he will not fail to do.
All I can do is speak up. I find myself in a situation where I have moral responsibility and no executive authority. I would have wished that my moral authority could have the same influence…, Rawlings complained to The Guardian.
Subsequently, the NDC founder also failed to endorse John Mahama during NDC’s Manifesto Launch a4th Cape Coast Stadium on 14th August – an action that many described as a vote of no confidence in the second-time aspiring president. The NDC had in response said Mahama does not need Rawlings’ endorsement to win the elections.
Consequent to these and maybe some other reasons, a section of NDC supporters have accused him of facilitating the NDC’s defeat in the just concluded elections.
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