Public office holders must declare assets to show honesty

Accra, June 6, GNA - Dr Ebenezer Ato Ayerebi-Acquah, former member of the Erstwhile National Commission for Democracy, on Friday, urged public office holders to willingly declare their assets in line with the principles of the June 4 Uprising.

He said the values of probity, accountability, integrity and transparency that the June 4 revolution espoused in 1979 were still relevant and it was important for the country to link those values to the national development efforts.

Speaking to the Ghana News Agency in Accra on the "Relevance of June 4," Dr Ayerebi-Acquah, also a former Minister of State said those who voluntarily offered to serve the nation in leadership positions must demonstrate their honesty, integrity and transparency through public declaration of their assets.

He explained that if both past and serving public office holders, subjected themselves to public accountability and integrity, they would be demonstrating the philosophy of leadership by example.

Justifying the relevance of June 4, Dr Ayerebi-Acquah said it was a historic event of national importance but its observance should be a sombre reflection on the principles it stood for and the mourning of those, who lost their lives in the line of duty or as victims for Ghana to becom e a better place. He said the activities marking the day must not depict joyous celebrations or actions that would hurt the sensibilities of the victims or their relatives, but show appreciation to them and a national commitment to sacrifice and patriotism.

Dr Ayerebi-Acquah said: "The June 4 Uprising was a painful, and traumatic event but absolutely and absolutely necessary event to shock us into the realization that somethin g was fundamentally wrong with our trend of national development. "However, we must be mindful in our commemoration of the day that it is contrary to our culture to

malign the dead or have a celebration that would offend our sensibilities .."

Dr Ayerebi-Acquah said June 4 was an exceptional coup d'=E9tat to br ing the nation back on course after

the overthrow of Dr Kwame Nkrumah, because Ghanaians had deviated from th e national objectives of

upholding patriotism, hard work and meeting civic responsibilities ascri bed in the motto of "Freedom and

Justice". "The interpretation the educated ones gave to freedom was limited to t he enjoyment of democratic ideals

such as Freedom of Association, Expression, Movement, Assembly etc, witho ut the corresponding

responsibilities to selflessly, hard work and sacrifice for the common good," he said. Relating June 4 to the French Revolution, he said the event rallied t he nation to focus on building a

nation based on equity, justice, fairness and peace. "Without equality and peace, there cannot be justice and without just ice there cannot be national

security and freedom," he said. Dr Ayerebi-Acquah said Ghana at 53, is still a relatively young country, as compared to democracies like

France and the United Kingdom and, therefore, has the opportunity to re-orient citizens with the core and

requisite values for a solid democratic and developed nation. Dr Ayerebi-Acquah said: "Freedom if it critically interrogated means

people must do their work with

commitment, protect national assets and render selfless services to the nation. "Ghanaians must be educated to accept their civic and patriotic responsibilities and then Ghana would be

truly and truly independent, self-reliant, great and strong as enshrined in our national anthem." The 31st Anniversary of the June 4 Uprising was commemorated in Tama le in the Northern Region and

was addressed by the main architect of the revolution, Flt.Lt. Jerry John

Rawlings. Wreaths were laid at the Flags Staff Square in Accra by members of t he United Cadre Front, in honour of

the fallen heroes of the event.