31st December 1981 Revolution

A wreath laying ceremony has been held at the Fore court of the Flag Staff House to commemorate the 30th Anniversary of the 31st December 1981 Revolution.

Exactly thirty years ago former President Flt Lt Jerry John Rawlings led a group of soldiers to topple the late president Hilla Liman’s government to form the Provisional National Defense Council (PNDC).

The PNDC was an amalgamation of the Armed Forces Revolution Council (AFRC) which on 4th June 1978 deposed the Supreme Military Council (SMC) II and hand over power to the Liman’s government after elections.

The PNDC steered the affairs of the country until 1992 when the country was returned to constitutional democracy.

Former President Rawlings who was seen in an immaculate African ware made of sack cloth assisted two children to light the perpetual flame.

The wreath laying ceremony held on the theme “Three Decades of Grassroots Participation; It’s Relevance to Current Political Dispensation” was attended by Jerry Rawlings, former first lady Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings, Mr. P.V. Obeng, Chairman of the National Development Planning Commission.

Others were Lt. Col. Gbevlo Lartey, National Security Coordinator, Shirley Ayitey, Minister of Environment Science and Technology, Martin Amidu, Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Nuamah Donkor former Minister in the Rawlings regime, General Arnold Quarnoo, Dr. Don Arthur, cadres and a host of other personalities.

Earlier Dr. Norgbe laid a flame for the people of Ghana; Madam Rebecca Quarshie laid one for the cadre corps while Nii Dodoo Nsaki III laid one for the Traditional rulers.

The Christian prayers were said by Rev. Asare Obeng, Alhaji Mustapha Mohammed did the Muslim prayers and the Traditional prayer was done by the Osu Wulomo.

In a short interview with The Enquirer, Mr. PV Obeng called on the various political parties to see themselves as partners in national development.

He said “we can agree to disagree; we can debate but for the purpose of the debate it should serve as a serious way of doing things for the collective interest of the nation”.

As we enter into an election year, P.V Obeng called on the political parties that they should help protect the democracy we are all enjoying.

Source: Mark Boye, The Enquirer