Rawlings salutes Ghanaians on occasion of 31st December

Former President Jerry John Rawlings has enjoined all Ghanaians to work towards the re-awakening of national moral values in order to steer the country “onto a straight path of political, social and political development.”

In this quest, he says, “we dare not fail,” charging all to recognise that the challenge is not one for political leadership alone but that we all have a role to play in instilling sound values of probity, accountability, freedom and justice in our society.

In a message to mark the 32nd anniversary of the 31st December Revolution, the former president said the Revolution brought in its wake a sense of national purpose and responsibility and Ghanaians once again embraced patriotism and fought with their lives to bring the country back onto its feet after confronting huge challenges, including a debilitating famine and the deportation of over one million of our compatriots from Nigeria.

“Through your combined sweat and toil, Ghana saw significant socio-economic and socio-political development that is unsurpassed in the nation’s history. The relative political stability from 1981 till today is because you the people of Ghana took your destiny into your hands and decided that you were going to thread a path of development that was fashioned on the principles of probity, accountability, freedom and justice.

He said however that a culture of corruption practiced and tolerated by those who are supposed to fight it has today eroded the gains of the time.

“Some of us cannot and will never depart from the principles that led to the revolution and sustained it for so long. We shall continue to confront the rot that is eroding the values many laid down their lives for. The struggle continues!”

Rawlings extended his best wishes to cadres, foot soldiers and the millions of Ghanaians who in diverse ways played a role in the decade that stopped the rot.

Read ex-President Rawlings’ full message below

MESSAGE BY H.E. FLT LT JERRY JOHN RAWLINGS ON THE OCCASION OF THE 32nd ANNIVERSARY OF THE 31st DECEMBER REVOLUTION
 
On the occasion of the 32ndanniversary of the 31st December Revolution I send best wishes to cadres, foot soldiers and the millions of Ghanaians who in diverse ways played a role in the decade that stopped the rot.
 
Thirty-two years ago a revolutionary wave swept across the country and brought in its wake a sense of national purpose and responsibility. Ghanaians once again embraced patriotism and fought with their lives to bring the country back onto its feet after confronting huge challenges including a debilitating famine and the deportation of over one million of our compatriots from Nigeria.
 
Through your combined sweat and toil, Ghana saw significant socio-economic and socio-political development that is unsurpassed in the nation’s history. The relative political stability from 1981 till today is because you the people of Ghana took your destiny into your hands and decided that you were going to thread a path of development that was fashioned on the principles of probity, accountability, freedom and justice.
 
The core tenet of these values was transparency and zero tolerance for corruption.
 
Today your sweat and toil has been eroded by a culture of corruption that is practiced and tolerated by those who are supposed to fight it.
 
Some of us cannot and will never depart from the principles that led to the revolution and sustained it for so long. We shall continue to confront the rot that is eroding the values many laid down their lives for. The struggle continues!
 
Let us recognise that the challenge is not one only for political leadership. We all have a role to play in instilling sound values of probity, accountability, freedom and justice in our society.
 
As the year draws to a close and we embrace a new one, I enjoin all Ghanaians to work towards a most fruitful year dedicated to the re-awakening of our moral values.
 
We dare not fail in our quest to steer our country onto a straight path of political, social and political development.
 
Afenhyia Pa!