Parliament: Bring Rawlings’ Values ​​Into National Psyche | Politics

As the nation prepares for the funeral of late President Jerry John Rawlings starting Monday, Jan.25, Parliament has insisted that its values ​​of probity, responsibility, discipline and accountability be rooted in the national psyche.

Euloguing the former president on Friday by lawmakers, Mr. Haruna Iddrisu, leader of the Democratic National Congress party, set the tone by describing the late President Rawlings as a “paradox or an enigma”, with an enduring institution of values ​​that would continue to define the people and guide the progress of the nation.

Dressed in black or brown attire, members on both sides of the House praised the bravery, frankness, discipline, love and fairness of the affable former Ghanaian leader, popularly known as “Papa J”, who is died Thursday, November 12, 2020 at Korle-Bu University Hospital.

Papa J died nearly five months after celebrating his 73rd birthday and less than three weeks after burying his mother, Victoria Agbotui.

He was a Ghanaian military officer and politician who ruled the country from 1981 to 2001 and also for a brief period in 1979.

He led a military junta until 1992, then served two terms as the democratically elected president of Ghana from 1992 to 2000.

Upon his unexpected death, the nation and the international community were in shock and, in tributes, recognized him for the many contributions to the growth of Ghana, especially as the founder of the Fourth Republic.

They encouraged Ghanaians to live in peace and engage in dialogue with each other despite their political differences.

President Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, who then handed the presidency to Second Vice President Andrew Asiamah Amoako and then took over the presidency, authorized contributions that took longer than usual, with lawmakers remembering the late political icon to ensure political stability, democratic governance and smooth transfer of power during all periods in which he was in office.

Mr. Iddrisu said that the late President’s commitment to justice, fairness, probity, accountability and transparency was unprecedented and that these were the values ​​and principles that found their expression in the preamble to the 1992 Constitution, which was promulgated under its competent leadership.

The constitution has remained the most enduring constitution since Ghana’s birth, surviving nearly three decades and seeing the transition of power from one political party to another, he said.

Mr Iddrisu has stepped back in time to recall how former President Rawlings entered political space on May 15, 1979, prompted by a mission to hold political leaders of the day to account for their wrongdoing. management.

According to him, the military administration of the time had completely desecrated the Code of Military Conduct and undermined the country’s image.

Mr Iddrisu said with determination and zeal, former President Rawlings has been able to reverse socio-economic decline and get the economy back on track, with improved infrastructure and expansion of the electricity from the Akosombo dam to the then 10 regions and 110 district capitals. .

“Pride and belief in Ghanaians has been restored and most of the Ghanaian professionals who left the shores have started to return to help build the country,” Iddrisu said.

“Rawlings sowed his leadership role as a watchdog for ordinary people and he addressed issues of incompetence, injustice and corruption.”

Mr Kofi Adams, former assistant to the former president and newbie MP for Buem, said it was very difficult for him to pay tribute to his boss as he wished he were alive to see him make his first speech on the floor of Parliament.

He spoke of the courtesies that were taken away from the former president, especially during his travels, and said it should never be repeated.

Mr Adams said that while humiliating, the former president did not take offense at the treatment but took the opportunity to interact with ordinary people.

“He was brave but very humble,” he said, and his passion for decentralization, infusing tradition, culture and governance, and passing the intestate inheritance law to help widows would not go unnoticed. .

The late President Rawlings will be put on condition January 24-26 at the Foyer of the International Conference Center in Accra from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

There will be a funeral mass on January 26 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit in Accra, followed by a funeral service on January 27 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. in Independence Square.

Meanwhile, Majority Leader Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu announced in next week’s trade statement that members of parliament are due to table their statements on Tuesday, January 26.

“It is proposed that they pay tribute between 9:00 am and 10:00 am on the said date to allow the House to sit before 11:00 am thereafter,” he said.