Former President Jerry John Rawlings
Founder of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Jerry John Rawlings, has descended heavily on the current leadership of the party for allowing a few characters in the party with financial muscle to determine the direction of the party.
According to him, using undemocratic practices and financial means to steer the affairs of NDC at the expense of genuine lovers must not be countenanced.
Mr. Rawlings said a few individuals, who have constituted themselves into ‘power brokers’ in the opposition NDC, have hijacked it and milking it dry.
The former president said a few self-styled ‘power brokers,’ who have held the NDC to ransom, continue to dictate the direction of the party.
Speaking at the commemoration of the 37th anniversary of the 31st December Revolution at Mandela Park at Ashaiman, near Tema, on Monday, the NDC founder stated: “It’s important that I refer to one of the challenges that has affected the quality of integrity in our party. Per the regulations of the NDC, every member is expected to pay a token annual fee to justify their membership. Unfortunately, though we have millions who sympathise with the ideals of the party many prefer not to offer their widow’s mite to the successful management of the party.
“This has resulted in a situation where a few individuals have constituted themselves into ‘power brokers’ who dictate the direction of the party by holding it to ransom with their financial strength. The vast majority of the party has become subservient to the dictates of these power brokers.”
The founder blamed the party’s executives for failing to devise innovative ways for members to contribute their token monthly or yearly.
According to him, such ‘power brokers’ have fundamentally hampered the effective management of the NDC “since their words are what determine the direction of the party.”
Mr. Rawlings, consequently, called on party supporters to contribute unreservedly to sustain the operations of the NDC.
He indicated that “it’s imperative that members own and actively participate in the activities of the party by contributing their widow’s mite at all levels. We need to devise a mechanism that makes it attractive to pay our dues and levies. In conscientizing members on their obligations, ease of payment, proper records, transparency and accountability should be embraced. This will energise the base, deepen commitment and enhance the chances of winning elections.”
The former president further advised the party members not to allow money and goodies to determine who they should vote for to become the presidential candidate to lead the party to the next elections.
According to him, “Some senior members of the party are vying to lead the party to the next election. In their messages to the rank and file, it is important that they inculcate the spirit of inclusiveness in the processes of the party. The process should not be of how much your candidate can give you, but how committed you can be to your party. “Let us listen to ourselves in the choices we make. Let us not allow material and monetary inducements to sway our judgement. The power belongs to us.”
This year’s event was held under the theme: “Deepening the Core Principles of Good Leadership for Political Governance.”
From Vincent Kubi, Ashaiman