Editorial; Let’s honour Rawlings with peaceful elections

Ghanaians woke up on Thursday morning to receive the shocking news about the demise of former President Jerry John Rawlings. Across the country, many are still wailing over the loss. Several messages of condolence have started pouring in from not only the continent of Africa, but around the globe.

President Nana Akufo Addo has ordered that all National Flags must fly at half-mast while a seven day national mourning has been declared to honour the departed former president. Politicians from across the political divide have visited and commiserated with the bereaved family, in line with Ghanaian tradition and custom.

Undoubtedly, the name Jerry John Rawlings or J.J., as he was affectionately known, became a household name in Ghana in the late seventies when his leadership role in the governance space began.

It continued from the eighties through the nineties to January 2001, when he handed over political power to the newly elected government after he had ruled for close to twenty years.

Like any other political leader, Flt. Lt. Jerry John Rawlings has always been remembered for several good deeds and other excesses by many Ghanaians. The expression of sympathy clearly testifies that indeed Mr Rawlings is still loved by a section of the population.

Unfortunately, the former Head of State kicked the bucket just a few weeks before Ghanaians go to the polls to elect a President and Members of Parliament as enshrined in the constitution that he supervised. In our view, therefore, the country must organise a peaceful poll to honour his memory.

We are, however, alarmed by the kind of tension that has built up around the December 7^th general elections, which is just some few weeks away. The usual accusations and counter accusations between the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) have already taken centre stage, leading to needless clashes between their supporters.

The Ghana Police Service, which is responsible for internal security has identified a dozen of hotspots where violence is likely to occur during the December polls.

This disturbing finding by the police has been corroborated by many security experts, as well as local election observers and electoral pollsters.

We at The Chronicle are extremely disgusted at the findings because we are very much aware of how post electoral violence has ruined many countries on the continent.

Shockingly, those who might be planning to cause mayhem or throw this country into chaos are themselves Ghanaians who claim to have this country at heart.

It is an undeniable fact that Mr Rawlings is gone never to be seen again. However, holding the country together in the spirit of oneness and unity is something that we could collectively do to honour the gentle soul we are mourning now.

We are of the firmest view that the best honour the Ghanaian people can give him is the conduct of peaceful lections. This, we dare not fail.

 

The post Editorial; Let’s honour Rawlings with peaceful elections appeared first on The Chronicle Online.

Read Full Story