The Caucus for Democratic Governance, Ghana (CDG-GH), has called on the government to quit playing what they describe as politics with the legacy of former President Jerry John Rawlings.
In a statement signed by Executive Director of Caucus for Democratic Governance, Ghana (CDG-GH), Dr E.K. Hayford he branded the ongoing brouhaha over the signing of his book of condolence as disrespectful and unacceptable.
It follows a complaint made by the General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketia about their party flagbearer, John Dramani Mahama being prevented from signing the book of condolence stationed at the Accra International Conference Centre.
READ ALSO:Â State Protocol reveals when Mahama, Kufuor will sign Rawlings' book of condolence
Portions of the statement read: "To open a book of condolence for the late former President J J Rawlings and to prevent former President John Mahama and NDC National Executives from signing, is - to say the least - unfair and smells politicking.
I think the President must know, that the NDC since 1992 has been in the trenches with the late Founder J J Rawlings in their political battles against NPP, and will continue with him in spirit as Founder of the NDC Party.
It, therefore, smells hypocritical and contradictory when those who stripped late President Rawlings naked of his Diplomatic Immunity and bitterly challenged his Ghanaian citizenship in court are now shedding crocodile tears and pretending to invoke none existent love for his remains."
However State Protocol Department says former presidents John Mahama and John Agyekum Kufuor will sign the book of condolence opened for the late President Jerry John Rawlings on Monday, November 16, 2020.
Read the Caucus for Democratic Governance, Ghana’s press release below
PRESS RELEASE
16th Nov. 2020
STOP PLAYING POLITICS WITH THE LEGACY OF LATE PRESIDENT RAWLINGS
The Caucus for Democratic Governance, Ghana (CDG-GH), is calling on the Government to stop playing politics with the legacy of the late former President J J Rawlings. This is highly disrespectful, unacceptable and falls short of National cohesion.
To open a book of condolence for the late former President J J Rawlings and to prevent former President John Mahama and NDC National Executives from signing, is - to say the least - unfair and smells politicking.
I think the President must know, that the NDC since 1992 has been in the trenches with the late Founder J J Rawlings in their political battles against NPP, and will continue with him in spirit as Founder of the NDC Party.
It, therefore, smells hypocritical and contradictory when those who stripped late President Rawlings naked of his Diplomatic Immunity and bitterly challenged his Ghanaian citizenship in court are now shedding crocodile tears and pretending to invoke none existent love for his remains.
CDG-GH can confirm, that former President J J Rawlings, before his death was a standing member of the NDC, the Founder of the NDC Party and life Chairman of the Council of Elders of the NDC Party. Anyone who seeks to honour the legacy of late President J J Rawlings as a Statesman must first learn to honour his brain work- the NDC Party.
Dr E.K.Hayford
Executive Director, CDG-GH