Veteran journalist, Kwesi Pratt Jnr, has called on the leadership of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to record its history accurately and to recognise the sacrifices of its ordinary members and not only its prominent leaders.
In recording the party’s history, he urged the party to embrace both the pleasant historical facts and the not-so-pleasant past which culminated in making the NDC as attractive as it is.
Historiography
He made the call at the launch of the NDC’s “six historiographies” documenting the party’s history and administrative journey at the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences in Accra last Tuesday.
The six-volume historiography is meant to preserve the NDC’s institutional memory by providing records of its formation, leadership, elections and policy development.
It covers the party’s development and the role the NDC has played in the country’s democratic journey, especially Ghana’s Fourth Republic.
Accurate records
Mr Pratt Jnr explained that accurate records would help future generations understand the struggles, disagreements and contributions that shaped the party and ensure that members, their efforts, as well as their contribution to nation building were not forgotten.
He stressed that the party’s story included periods of tension, disagreement and struggle, which he described as an important part of its development.
“The NDC should not bury its history,” Mr Pratt Jnr said.
He recounted the hardships of some NDC members in spite of the sacrifices they made to the nation, including those who struggled financially and needed help during difficult times.
He recalled contacting President John Dramani Mahama on behalf of a member who reportedly could not afford medical treatment.
Mr Pratt Jnr acknowledged the contributions of the late President John Evans Atta Mills and other party leaders to the NDC’s evolution and to Ghana’s democratic process.
The Minister for Environment, Science and Technology, Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, recounted how her father, the Founder of the NDC and former President, Jerry John Rawlings, placed Ghana’s interests above personal and partisan considerations.
She noted that her father believed anyone capable of serving the country should be given the opportunity, regardless of political affiliation.
She recalled an occasion during his first term as President when officials were discussing appointments to key state positions when someone questioned a candidate’s suitability because he was not an NDC member.
Dr Agyeman-Rawlings, who is also the NDC Member of Parliament for Klottey Korle, however, said late President Rawlings asked whether the individual was capable of doing the job and willing to serve Ghana.
She said that incident reflected his belief that national interest should take precedence over party loyalty.
Retirement
She also explained that contrary to some public perceptions, her father initially intended to retire as Head of State when constitutional rule approached.
She said her late mother, Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, encouraged him to contest for the presidency so that Ghanaians could experience his leadership as a civilian and judge him beyond his military background.
Dr Agyeman-Rawlings said her father’s sense of responsibility was rooted in the belief that people with the ability to solve problems should step forward rather than wait for others to act.
That belief of selflessness, she said, should be the guiding principle for people in public office.
