Former President Rawlings[/caption] Founder of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Jerry John Rawlings has expressed his disgust at the monetary inducement at the just ended party’s regional elections. According to Mr. Rawlings, who is Ghana’s first president under the Fourth Republic, some of the elected executives of the NDC bought votes. In a statement after the elections held on September 1, he observed that some of the leaders did not deserve to win. “The scourge of monetization which has engulfed our body politic was still manifest in many of the last Regional elections. Some victors won through monetary and material inducements instead of a commitment to the ideals of the party,” he remarked. Mr. Rawlings therefore cautioned the party to be on the lookout for “self-centred personalities who managed to slip through the net due to revolting levels of monetary influence. “Let us not allow such people to dilute, contaminate and weaken the progress that has been made.” Below is Mr. Rawlings’ statement Following the conclusion of Regional elections of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) at various centres across the country, I wish to congratulate all members of the party for a generally incident-free conduct of the process. My congratulations also go to all who deservingly won their positions through the pursuit of the party’s ideals of truth and integrity. I must commend delegates who defied the shameful and vulgar inducements by some candidates and their sponsors, and defiantly chose to elect those whose commitment and dedication to the party is unquestionable. While the results of the elections are a good indication of the sense of purpose of delegates and the membership of the party at large, we cannot rest on our oars. The scourge of monetization which has engulfed our body politic was still manifest in many of the last Regional elections. Some victors won through monetary and material inducements instead of a commitment to the ideals of the party. We have to be on the lookout for self-centred personalities who managed to slip through the net due to revolting levels of monetary influence. Let us not allow such people to dilute, contaminate and weaken the progress that has been made. As a party that seeks to rebuild and strengthen itself, it is imperative that we see the results of the last elections as a small step towards confronting the bigger challenges facing the party. As we work towards the selection of national executives, we should be guided by the enormity of the obstacles well-resourced individuals with parochial agendas will place in our way. We have to confront these stumbling blocks and ensure that the image and strength of the party comes first. With dedication, teamwork, truth and integrity, the party will once again rise to its once envious position in Ghana’s political climate. Issued By: Kobina Andoh Amoakwa (Communications Directorate) Source: 3news.com | Ghana]]>
