June 4 lives on

Monday is June 4, the 22nd anniversary of the action by a section of the military that was to lead to the building of a stable and peaceful polity and the enthronement of democracy in Ghana on January 7, 1993.

On June 4, 1979, young military officers led by Flt. Lt. J.J. Rawlings virtually changed the course of Ghana's history by intervening to stop the rot that had engulfed the military.

In the process the Supreme Military Council (SMC) II headed by General F.W.K. Akufo was removed from office at a time the SMC II had drawn up a programme to return Ghana to constitutional rule after seven years of military rule.

Naturally, Ghanaians were disappointed of another military intervention but the explanation given by the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC) that there would not be a change in the programme to constitutional rule was welcomed.

The AFRC said that their action was a house cleaning exercise that would enable civilians to have a smooth takeover.

The June Four Movement (JFM), in commemoration of the occasion had drawn an official programme last week that would culminate in activities marking the occasion.

There were supposed to be radio talkshows and other media encounters as from last Tuesday, May 29 while a communal labour was to take place at parts of Ashaiman near Accra.

Vigils and community meetings were held on Sunday night at various locations in Tema, Madina, Ashaiman, Nungua, Ayawaso, Ablekuma and Fadama.

The celebration would be rounded off by a public lecture at the Arts Centre on Monday.