Ghananie.Com

30.3.09

Rawlings: No vendetta, yes, but justice must prevail

Ex-President Jerry John Rawlings says the failure of leadership to sanction wrong doing is what corrupts societies more, and not the mere aberrations.

He said he agrees perfectly with President John Evans Atta Mills in denouncing vendetta by his administration, but it would be wrong and dangerous on his part to also let perpetrators of infractions escape justice.

Ex-President Rawlings who made the comments at his Ridge residence during a courtesy call on him and his wife, Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawalings by the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, said so many people, including him, have suffered unnecessary vilification and wrongs for which there should be justice.

He said on leaving office as president, he and others were perceived as wrong doers and made to suffer some aberrations, describing the instances as unfortunate.

“Nobody is asking for vendetta, we all want peace. But we must seek too for the wrongs.”

The Asantehene, accompanied by a retinue of his chiefs, was in Accra to visit President Mills at the Castle to congratulate him on his election victory and assumption of office as President of Ghana, and to invite him to Kumasi on April 26, 2009, to attend a durbar being part of activities marking his (Otumfuo’s) 10th anniversary since his ascension of the Golden Stool.

Otumfuo extended a similar invitation to ex-President Rawlings, who expressed his profound visit to the king for his noble visit, and described it as a symbol of the unity, peace and sense of purpose Ghanaians need to cultivate for nation building.

He implored President Mills to recognize the enormity of work on the hands of his administration, and urged him to seek the counsel of the nation’s elders, including chiefs, in seeking the best for the people.

Ex-President Rawlings gave hints of agitations in the ruling National Democratic Congress, and said he had just returned from a meeting of the party’s leadership where he reminded them that the party was voted into power by a party machinery run both by visible party people, and several others from without the party, and counseled against disunity.

On behalf of his family and party, he expressed gratitude for the King’s visit and promised to honour his invitation.

Story by Isaac Yeboah

5.2.09

Victorious Satellites present trophy to President Atta Mill

Players, management and technical teams of victorious African U-20 champions, Black Satellites on Tuesday arrived in Accra on Tuesday from Rwanda, and later presented the trophy to President John Evans Atta Mills at the Castle, Osu, in Accra.
The President warmly received the team and congratulated the players on their spectacular performance in the tournament.
”On behalf of the people of Ghana, we recognize your unique achievement.

“Rest assured that, we’ll give you some special bonus for winning this trophy,” President Atta Mills assured the team.
The President, a former Chairman of the Board of Directors of Accra Hearts of Oak praised the Satellites for their unrelenting spirit, which, he said, proved the kind of mettle they were made with.
He paid tribute to the past government for initiating the process that
led to the victory of the gallant boys.
President Atta Mills said the Satellites had done, not only themselves
honour by the triumph but also their families, friends and the nation.
“Ghana thanks you,’’ the President said.
Satellites Skipper, Dede Ayew said the team was happy to have brought the cup home.
He expressed thanks to the President for giving them the qualification bonus and said the team would work hard to clinch the World Under-20 tournament scheduled for Egypt next September.
The Satellites Coach, Sellas Tetteh said the win showed the determination of the boys to win the World Cup.
It was also a mark for many of the boys to graduate into the senior team, Black Stars and prepare for the World Cup next year.
GNA