Flt Lt Jerry John Rawlings has asked the citizenry to endorse leadership that protects the people and supports socio-economic development that benefits all.
Addressing this year’s Hogbetsotso festival of the chiefs and people of Anlo, he said the event was borne out of injustice and inequality.
“Our forefathers rose above oppression and fought against the injustice of King Agorkorli, leading to their eventual migration.
“Our ancestors had the opportunity to migrate then, but you and I have nowhere to migrate to if we have to endure injustice and inequality, so we have a huge responsibility to ensure that we endorse leadership that protects the people and supports socio-economic development that benefits not only a select few,” he said.
Flt Lt Rawlings said fighting injustice requires Ghanaians to be resolute and be above reproach.
“Our society cannot progress if at community level we do not embrace qualities of truth, equity, accountability and integrity.”
He said while leadership at traditional and political level has to uphold these noble principles, the ordinary people have to embrace noble lifestyles that would benefit our young ones who have become victims of westernization and crass pursuit of materialism.
He said crimes such as murder, rape, armed robbery and corruption have become the order of the day not only at national and urban level but also at the grassroots.
“We need to wake up and confront these negative incursions into our society because they pose serious danger to the very survival of our communities. That sense of purpose and unity that binds us together is almost lost on us,” he said.
Flt Lt Rawlings told the Anlo people: “I am reliably informed your major source of livelihood, fishing and vegetable farming is not bringing you much economic sustenance as it used to.
“You have problems with fishing because as stated before, some of us in our selfish desire to make quick money have been applying illegal forms of fishing which have the tendency to affect the appropriate breeding of fish as fingerlings are also trapped in the process.
“We have also embraced a very poor habit of keeping our water resources polluted in such a manner that we cannot expect fishes and other living organisms to reproduce and help the chain of survival in the oceans and rivers.
“We cannot continue to pollute our rivers with chemicals, wash directly in them with soap and expect the same water resource to provide potable water and protein on our table. No!
“Let us use prescribed nets for fishing so we do not deplete our fishing resource. We should practice good farming methods so as to sustain the fertility of the soil,” he noted. The ex-President called on the traditional and local government authorities to confront these issues head on.
Flt Lt Rawlings observed: “Togbuiwo, Mamawo, we cannot develop our communities if our educational standards are abysmal. If it is true that the current educational results within the Anlo community are poor, then we have a lot of work on our hands.
“Development at all levels of society is now based on very advanced technology, which can only be available if our children are tutored appropriately and our schools are properly equipped to pass on appropriate education to pupils and students.”
Flt Lt Rawlings said the Anlo state needs to look inward thoroughly and ask itself if it has done enough to maintain the status quo as one of the most progressive communities in the country?
