ACCRA, Feb 7 (Reuters) - Ghana marks 50 years of independence next month but Jerry "Boom Man" Rawlings, who took power in a coup and was president for nearly 20 years, says the West African nation has little to celebrate.
Since giving up power in 2000, Rawlings has been a fierce critic of President John Kufuor's government, under which Ghana has earned a reputation for political stability and steady economic growth, earning plaudits from world leaders.
"There is nothing as far as I am concerned to celebrate on our 50th anniversary because the freedoms that were unleashed as a result of the revolt (in 1981) and the creative energy, they have been destroyed," Rawlings told Reuters in an interview.
The former British colony of Gold Coast became the first black African country to shake off colonial rule on March 6, 1957, inspiring liberation struggles around the continent.
Next month's Golden Jubilee has triggered radio and television advertisements urging Ghanaians to "celebrate and jubilate" while street boys jostle to sell memorabilia.
The charismatic Rawlings ruled from 1981 after leading two military coups, known locally as "booms".
Sweating in the afternoon heat of his garden, he spoke with passion, sometimes incoherently, and frequently gesticulated about the government's failings.
"If they had continued from where we left off, Ghana would be flying so sky high," he said.
"The water in my toilet tank is much cleaner than the water that the majority of our rural folk are drinking."
NO REGRETS
After founding father Kwame Nkrumah was overthrown in a coup in 1966, the country stumbled from coup to coup for many years.
When Rawlings took power, eight generals, including three former military rulers, were executed. Middle class witch hunts and business and property seizures forced many into exile.
But he has no regrets. More would have died if the generals had not been killed, he says, such was the public "craving for blood".
Rawlings said Western powers continued to support Kufuor, deliberately ignoring his failings, because of their desperation to find an African success story.
The retired flight lieutenant describes himself as a simple pilot but some call him "Junior Jesus" and he remains popular in parts of the country away from Kufuor's north-western Ashanti stronghold.
For Kufuor's administration, faced with an angry and volatile critic on the sidelines, there is the lingering concern Rawlings may not have left his coup days behind him.
Rawlings said international sanctions would deter coup-makers although corrupt members of the armed forces might be tempted.
"I would like to think it is over but I don't think so. Nobody wants to engage in a coup again," he said.
"From a tactical point of view, I would not be so stupid as to give them the opportunity to enjoy a so-called reconciliation with Rawlings."
Rawlings, who said he once considered the priesthood, insists political power was never his aim and those who attribute his criticism to sour grapes are misguided.
"At 59, nothing energises me more than my fight against injustice," he said.
ACCRA, Feb 7 (Reuters) - Ghana marks 50 years of independence next month but Jerry "Boom Man" Rawlings, who took power in a coup and was president for nearly 20 years, says the West African nation has little to celebrate.
Since giving up power in 2000, Rawlings has been a fierce critic of President John Kufuor's government, under which Ghana has earned a reputation for political stability and steady economic growth, earning plaudits from world leaders.
"There is nothing as far as I am concerned to celebrate on our 50th anniversary because the freedoms that were unleashed as a result of the revolt (in 1981) and the creative energy, they have been destroyed," Rawlings told Reuters in an interview.
The former British colony of Gold Coast became the first black African country to shake off colonial rule on March 6, 1957, inspiring liberation struggles around the continent.
Next month's Golden Jubilee has triggered radio and television advertisements urging Ghanaians to "celebrate and jubilate" while street boys jostle to sell memorabilia.
The charismatic Rawlings ruled from 1981 after leading two military coups, known locally as "booms".
Sweating in the afternoon heat of his garden, he spoke with passion, sometimes incoherently, and frequently gesticulated about the government's failings.
"If they had continued from where we left off, Ghana would be flying so sky high," he said.
"The water in my toilet tank is much cleaner than the water that the majority of our rural folk are drinking."
NO REGRETS
After founding father Kwame Nkrumah was overthrown in a coup in 1966, the country stumbled from coup to coup for many years.
When Rawlings took power, eight generals, including three former military rulers, were executed. Middle class witch hunts and business and property seizures forced many into exile.
But he has no regrets. More would have died if the generals had not been killed, he says, such was the public "craving for blood".
Rawlings said Western powers continued to support Kufuor, deliberately ignoring his failings, because of their desperation to find an African success story.
The retired flight lieutenant describes himself as a simple pilot but some call him "Junior Jesus" and he remains popular in parts of the country away from Kufuor's north-western Ashanti stronghold.
For Kufuor's administration, faced with an angry and volatile critic on the sidelines, there is the lingering concern Rawlings may not have left his coup days behind him.
Rawlings said international sanctions would deter coup-makers although corrupt members of the armed forces might be tempted.
"I would like to think it is over but I don't think so. Nobody wants to engage in a coup again," he said.
"From a tactical point of view, I would not be so stupid as to give them the opportunity to enjoy a so-called reconciliation with Rawlings."
Rawlings, who said he once considered the priesthood, insists political power was never his aim and those who attribute his criticism to sour grapes are misguided.
"At 59, nothing energises me more than my fight against injustice," he said.
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