Vote for NDC or Perish -JJ

While President John Agyekum Kufuor was busily endorsing the candidature of Alhaji Aliu Mahama as his running mate for the second time in Kumasi, ex-President Jerry John Rawlings was also admonishing Ghanaians to either vote for his National Democratic Congress (NDC) or perish.

Addressing a mini rally here at the weekend, after one of their usual keep fit exercises to prepare the grounds for the launching of the party's campaign which is slated for this Saturday, Mr. Rawlings stated bluntly that the dignity of Ghanaians would deteriorate should they make a mistake and retain NPP in power.

"Ladies and gentlemen, let me tell you that I'm a tired man and I don't like your seat because this party belongs to you and use it as your vehicle. The black symbol in the NDC flag that you see signifies the people who tired for the independence of the black man. Let victory be yours so that those who are dead would receive joy in abundance," Mr. Rawlings told the cheering crowd.

According to Rawlings, the growing corruption in the country today is worse than what he had seen in his life time, and considers it as an abuse of the integrity and dignity of Ghanaians.

"Things of this could only happen when the instruments of truth are being transformed into tools of oppression. Especially elements in the media, judiciary, and the commanding hands of the security apparatus are turned into instruments of oppression, and corruption grows with such confidence that is dangerous to the nation's development," Mr. Rawlings asserted.

The NDC founder said Ghanaians were fooled by the NPP and the only way for them to restore their dignity was to vote NDC and Prof. John Evans Atta Mills to power in the December elections.

"I'm telling you today that if you do not resist this oppressive tendency by using the ballot box and vote for the NDC on December7 elections your life opportunities would be gone forever."

Mr. Rawlings said the situation which occurred during Gen. Kutu Acheampong's regime where bishops, chiefs and opinion leaders remained quiet about bad things which were going on at that period was fast creeping back into fabric of the nation.

Speaking in his typical broken Akan style, Rawlings thanked God and the people as well for making the occasion successful.

Dr. Ato Quarshie, the Central Regional chairman of the NDC, warned the electorate not to repeat what they did in 2000 elections when they voted against Prof. Mills.

He said should such a trend continue no political party would choose its presidential candidate from the region because the people will reject him or her.

Lawyer Harry Hayford, alias "Against," MP for Abura Asebu Kwamankese constituency, had earlier made the supporters to swear that this time round they would not reject Prof. Mills. Also Mrs. Veronica Essuman Nelson, the parliamentary candidate for Komenda Edina Eguafo Abrem (KEEA), urged the people to vote massively for the NDC for what she described as "a better Ghana."