Today, June 22, 2010 marks the 63rd birthday of Ghana’s former President and living African legend, Flt. Lt (rtd) Jerry John Rawlings and indications are that many Ghanaians would send goodwill messages through the post, phone calls and text messages to the Founder of the ruling National Democratic Congress.
A few privileged persons would be at the Ridge Office of the former President to wish him well. Ironically, those who would throng the office would not include some of his former colleagues in government, current government members and leading party members who have chosen to turn against him because he is no longer the President of Ghana.
Ever since the Mills Administration came into office, many government appointees and party big-wigs who have hitherto pledged their loyalty to Rawlings while he was President of Ghana and during the NDC’s days in opposition have suddenly reneged on their pledges in a bid to please the Ahwois (Ato and Kwesi) who have lined themselves up against him. With Prof. Mills having clinched the Presidency, many of these people have suddenly decided to stab the former President in the back to remain in the good books of the Ahwois.
The Daily Post intelligence has been briefed of how one of the Ahwois instructed Mr. Jojo Bruce-Quansah, former editor of the Ghana Palava never to put the photograph of Rawlings on the front page of the paper. The Ahwois are not the only ones who have shown disloyalty to the former President.
The Daily Post can authoritatively state that a chairman of the party, in a chat with NDC supporters recently told them that Rawlings’ time has passed and if he does not shut up, they would arrest him and lock him up. Articles have been sponsored in newspapers and websites and people planted by this one-time Rawlings allies on radio station to insult and ridicule him.
Many junior members of the government, who obviously are not abreast of the internal political history of the NDC have been encouraged to attack the Founder with some even opining that he has become irrelevant. Be that as it may, majority of Ghanaians, especially NDC supporters still love Rawlings who undoubtedly is still the most popular and trusted politician around.
Those who wish to have their messages to Rawlings wishing him a happy birthday published in the Daily Post should text the following numbers 0244884555, 0243358562 or 0201433578. Remember to add your first name and location.
