Nat’l Tymes News Desk
FORMER Information Minister and founding member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Kofi Totobi Quakyi, has called on the party to remain faithful to the ideals of probity, accountability, discipline and selfless service that defined the political legacy of former President Jerry John Rawlings.
Delivering a lecture at the commemoration of Rawlings’ 79th birthday in Accra on Monday, Mr. Quakyi said the NDC must protect the values upon which it was founded if it hopes to retain the trust and confidence of Ghanaians.
Speaking on the theme, “From Revolution to the Fourth Republic: The Rawlings Legacy,” the veteran politician reflected on his long political association with Rawlings and the evolution of the NDC from the era of the 31st December Revolution to Ghana’s current democratic dispensation.
He said the late former President’s legacy should not be reduced to ceremonies and praise, but should serve as a guide for present and future leaders.
“The life of Jerry Rawlings cannot be reduced to nostalgia. His legacy must be examined, protected and lived,” he told participants at the lecture.
According to Mr. Quakyi, the revolution championed by Rawlings sought to confront corruption, injustice, impunity and the abuse of public office, while promoting accountability and the welfare of ordinary citizens.
He acknowledged that the revolutionary period was not without mistakes but insisted that its core values remain relevant to Ghana’s democratic development.
The former minister noted that one of Rawlings’ most enduring contributions to Ghana was his acceptance of the outcome of the 2000 elections and his commitment to a peaceful transfer of power, which helped strengthen the country’s democratic credentials.
Mr. Quakyi cautioned that the NDC must not abandon the principles that distinguished it from other political traditions. “The NDC was not founded for opportunists or people seeking personal enrichment. It was founded as a movement of purpose and service,” he stated.
He expressed concern that some Ghanaians still question whether political parties truly represent different standards of governance and public service.
According to him, the greatest danger facing Ghana’s democracy is the growing perception that the country’s two major political parties are essentially the same.
“When citizens begin to believe that all political parties are alike, they start losing faith in democracy itself and question whether elections can bring meaningful change,” he warned.
Mr. Quakyi urged party leaders, government appointees and grassroots members to uphold the values of honesty, discipline and accountability that Rawlings championed throughout his political life.
He also called on the Rawlings Foundation to invest in leadership development programmes that would nurture future generations of principled and service-oriented leaders.
Touching on internal party matters, he advised aspiring leaders to exercise patience and respect for party processes, stressing that ambition must always be guided by wisdom, discipline and the collective interest of the party.
He described the political journey of Rawlings, the late Professor John Evans Atta Mills and President John Dramani Mahama as one continuous story that has shaped the NDC over the years.
Mr. Quakyi concluded by urging Ghanaians, especially the youth, to embrace democratic values and uphold the principles of justice, service and accountability.
The lecture formed part of activities marking the 79th birthday anniversary of former President Jerry John Rawlings, founder of the NDC and former Chairman of the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC) and the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC), whose political influence continues to shape Ghana’s democratic journey.
Source: Nationaltymes.com
