Mataheko NDC Electoral Area holds vigil in honor of Jerry John Rawlings

A vigil in honor of the late former President Jerry John Rawlings was held at Mataheko near Afienya in the Dangme West District of the Greater Accra Region on the eve of Saturday November 29, 2020.
It was organized by the Mataheko Electoral Area of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
The vigil brought together the late former president’s admirers, fans, and loved ones including notable figures within the Greater Accra Region as well as some NDC bigwigs who took turns to recount fondest memories of the Party’s founder in a solemn ceremony which directed heavy traffic toward a spot close to the Emef Police station located just by the roadside along the Ashaiman Afienya highway.
Mr Ofotsu Amevor, Former NDC Deputy Organizer for the Greater Accra Region said the late President would forever be remembered for his magnanimity towards relieving the plight of the ordinary citizenry particularly the poor, the youth and the aged in the society.
“He cared for the elderly. He cared for the youth especially those who are schooling. Till date, Rawlings has people whose bills are still being paid at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, the Ridge Hospital, the 37 Military Hospital and then at Blue Valley Hospital located on the Weija-Kasoa road in Accra”, he emphatically stressed adding, “Rawlings makes people go there for their medical treatments often which he pays from his own pocket”.
While praising the late former president for his gargantuan achievements and contributions toward promotion of peace and democracy in Ghana, he regrettably averred that his sudden demise has cast darkness on the whole country, the international community, his families and the NDC party, calling for his legacy to be preserved and principles adhered to in honor of his memory.
Oko Mensah, NDC Ningo Prampram constituency secretary described the late former President Jerry John Rawlings as a fair-minded person, a genuine man, and a bold and selfless soldier whose actions contributed significantly towards shaping the political career of most youth within the NDC party which he is blessed to be a beneficiary.
“I’m a Rawlings person and I love him for his boldness so I don’t see him to be an authoritarian type as some people thought. Although I’ve worked with him at distance, not too close but what I know is that he’s always bent on solving our problems as branch executives, even within the region against a formidable force like Hon. E. T. Mensah in those days, I think the founder was a fair-minded person and his office has helped us a lot in getting to where we are today as constituency executives.
He called on all youth to respect the legacy of the late former president Jerry John Rawlings, adding, “he stood for accountability, probity, justice and for the ordinary person therefore his legacy is worth emulating by all and sundry”.
Sharing his fond memories of the late former president in an interview, Damian Basson, NDC Deputy Youth Organizer for Kpone Katamanso Constituency eulogized the late former president as a man of loyalty, charismatic, energetic and vibrant leader whose demeanour has often helped determined the fortunes of the party during elections.
Citing a typical incidence in the past, he said: “I remember those days when there was a re-election at Tain Constituency in the Brong Ahafo Region, the late Jerry John Rawlings was able to mobilize the youth massively there to go and vote for the party even though we don’t have a majority of supporters there but his appearance alone made our victory”.
The first president of the Fourth Republic and the Founder of the NDC, Jerry John Rawlings died Thursday, November 12 at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital after a short illness.
Since the sad news broke, President Akufo-Addo has announced a 7-day national week of mourning with flags flying at a half-mast to commemorate his death.

Source: Joseph Kobla Wemakor