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Ghana still needs Rawlings - Markin

Tue, 15 May 2001 Source: By Kweku Tsen

FORMER President Jerry John Rawlings has been asked to continue to offer selfless services that would ensure the consolidation of the country's democracy and the material prosperity of the people .

Mr Dan Markin, a leading member of the Progressive Alliance, said even though former President Rawlings has been tasked with international assignments by the United Nations , his contributions to cement social and economic justice in the country are still needed.


Mr Markin was addressing a group of supporters of the alliance in Accra in commemoration of the 22nd anniversary of the May 15, 1979, uprising in Accra yesterday.


The uprising, led by former President Rawlings sought to overhaul the decay in the then Ghana Armed Forces, especially among the officer corps as well as ensure social justice and participatory democracy in the country.


According to Mr Markin, former President Rawlings has gained considerable experience in the intrigues in politics and mastered the art of governance and stressed that the nation should continue to tap his unlimited experience for the nation's development.

"Former President Rawlings having steered the country along the path of revolutionary transformation and social renewal for the past 20 years and has gathered more experience in government and for that matter more is demanded from him in the country's efforts to fight economic deprivation and poverty," Mr Markin said.


The alliance leading member recounted the events that led to the uprising and remarked that it was intended to re-arrange the social and economic order in the country and ensure the devolution of power and authority from the centre to the grassroots.


He described the event that eventually led to the June 4 Uprising as "a bright day in the political history of Ghana" since it transformed the political consciousness of the people and laid structures that led to their mass participation in local politics.


Mr Markin said the principles that led to the uprising are still relevant to the country's development ad urged the people to be guided by them.

Source: By Kweku Tsen