Rawlings in a chat with 2nd Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Hon. Alban Bagbin
Former President Jerry John Rawlings has been honoured by the chiefs and people of Wa in the Upper West Region for his contributions to the development of the region and its people.
The Upper West Region was carved out of the then Upper Region during the previous Rawlings administration when the region had just three districts, with Wa as the regional capital.
Mr Rawlings worked with many appointees from the Upper West Region and elevated many young politicians to various positions to help in the development of their region and communities.
On Sunday, June 4, 2017, kingmakers of the Wala Traditional Area enskinned Mr. Rawlings, with the traditional title Bagrepie Naa.
The kingmakers would now refer to former President as a rock that cannot be harmed by people surrounding it per the title.
The enskinment coincided with the former president’s visit to the region to commemorate the 38th anniversary of the June 4th Uprising, together with members and supporters of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and others, who also believe in probity and accountability in all spheres of life in Ghana, especially from duty bearers and public workers.
This year’s June 4th Anniversary under theme, ‘Restoring the Values of Probity, Accountability and Truth in Contemporary Governance’ was observed in Wa in the Upper East Region.
Former President Rawlings thanked the chiefs and people of the Wala Traditional Area for the honour, saying it would inspire him and many others to contribute to the development of the country.
Mr Rawlings bemoaned the high level of intolerance and tension across the country.
He commended the security agencies and the chiefs in the area for ensuring that pockets of violence in the area did not escalate into bloody conflict.
Former President Rawlings also called on the chiefs of the Wala Traditional Area to continue to offer good counsel and guidance to the leaders of the country to ensure that Ghana becomes prosperous and peaceful.
Naa Seidu Braimah of the Guli Traditional Area, who spoke briefly in an address on behalf of the kingmakers, referred to former President Rawlings as a strong leader, who stood for what he believed in and defended what was right.
“Even in times of crisis, you never turned your back against us, and we think this is the only way to recognise your contributions to our development,” Naa Seidu Braimah declared.
From Ebo Bruce-Quansah& Eric Kombat