The National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament for Klottey Korle, Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, has urged Ghanaians to emulate the ideals that former President Flt Lt Jerry John Rawlings stood for.
She said living by the ideals of probity, accountability, dedication to country, service and integrity of former President Rawlings would make meaning to his legacy.
“Which was why he always insisted that he preferred to be in the hearts of people rather than inscribed on walls or in the form of monuments. But there are many ways to honour the memory of someone who has done amazing things,” she stated
Statue
Dr Agyeman-Rawlings, who is the first daughter of President Rawlings, stated this at a ceremony to unveil a statue in his honour at Keta last Wednesday.
The statue
The event was attended by the Awoamefia of Anlo, Togbi Sri III; Awadada, Togbi Agbesi Awusu II; the Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketiah; the Regional Minister, James Gunu; Regional Chairman, Mawutor Agbavitor; MP for Ketu South and Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Dzifa Gomashie; Ambassador Dan Abodakpi, NPP Regional Chairman, Makafui Woanya; MP for Keta, Kwame Gakpe; MP for Anlo, Richard Kwame Sefa; MCE for Keta, Wisdom Saede, and Emmanuel Gemegah, former Keta MCE.
Dr Agyeman-Rawlings, accompanied by his brother, Kimathi Rawlings, prayed that future generations would appreciate the significance of the monument and commit to preserving it, so that many others might be inspired to ask enduring questions about where we come from, where we are today and where we hope to be as a people.
She said, although the family was still in mourning, they had to honour the invitation not just because of what it signified for the family, but also to the people of Anlo and Ghanaians.
NDC Chairman
For his part, Mr Asiedu Nketiah said a nation that did not honour its leaders was not worth dying for.
He reiterated President Rawlings’ decision not to be honoured in monuments and effigies while he was alive.
“He wanted to live in the hearts of people. He refused for a university that he founded to be named after him. He refused the naming of an FPSO after him. He became the Head of
State with the rank of Flight Lieutenant and refused to accept promotion.
“The monument is to highlight his life to those who did not live through his work and appreciate his contribution to national development so they can relate to his legacy,” the NDC Chairman stated.
Mr Asiedu Nketiah restated the party’s resolution from 2025 to name its national headquarters the Jerry John Rawlings House.
Democratic stability
A Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the National Health Insurance Authority, Dr Senanu Kwesi Djokoto, who spoke on the theme “The Man, Jerry Rawlings,” recalled the pivotal role President Rawlings played in coastal livelihoods, fisheries and environmental justice.
He said one of President Rawlings’ most enduring legacies was the foundation of democratic stability in Ghana, noting that the former president subjected himself to the will of the people in 1992, contested elections and handed over power peacefully after completing two terms.
Source:
www.graphic.com.gh
