NDC will continue to use pressure -JJ

Kumasi, March 5, GNA - Former President Jerry John Rawlings, has stated that it is misleading and erronous to perceive that coups were the surest guarantee for punishing any government for pursuing unpopular policies.

He said in contrast to such a perception, it is rather pressure through various media that could prove to be more productive, and to bring about the requisite changes regarding unpopular policies of government.

Former President Rawlings said, being aware of this, and for the sake of enhanced democracy, "neither would I nor would the NDC ever conceive using any violent means, or coup, to express dissatisfaction about government policies, or call for change through such means".

Former President Rawlings, who is also the founder of the NDC, made the statement in Kumasi on Saturday, at the final funeral rites celebration of the late Dr. Adamu Mohammed Gibiril, former Member of Parliament (MP) for Asawasi, who passed away at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), on February 26 this year, after a short illness.

Until his death, the late Dr. Gibiril was the Managing Director of Sir Gibirine Memorial Health Centre, and was survived by a wife and three children.

In attendance at the funeral were key NDC members, including Professor John Evans Atta Mills, the NDC Flagbearer, and Mr. Alban Bagbin, the Minority Leader, as well as National Executive Committee (NEC) members of the NDC, and NDC MPS.

At the funeral to mourn with the bereaved family were some National Executive members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Peoples National Convention (PNC) and the Convention Peoples Party (CPP). Also present was Mr. S.K. Boafo, Ashanti Regional Minister.

The former President advised Ghanaians to avoid the tendency to vote for candidates mainly on basis of their religion and tribes, and rather be guided by their integrity and commitment towards progress of the area, before voting for such candidates.

In a tribute from Parliament, Mr. Bagbin, the Minority Leader, said the only genuine tribute the people of Asawasi could pay to the late Dr. Gibiril, is for them to resolve to vote for a candidate with similar qualities like the late MP in the bye-elections.

Anything short of that would not show their affection for the good works the late MP had done for them, he added.

Professor Atta-Mills, the NDC Flagbearer, urged the constituents not to be too down-hearted by the death of the late MP, but rather work hard to preserve the peace and developments he brought to bear on the constituency.

Parliament thereafter donated 10 million cedis, NDC party, eight million cedis, three bags of rice and edible oil, while the Government made a donation of six million cedis, together with four bags of rice and four bags of sugar, as well as some crates of minerals.

The Ashanti Regional Chief Imam, Alhaji Imurana Musah and the Council of Ulamaus had earlier led prayers for the late MP.