June 4…JJ Still Intransigent

JJ Rawlings on June 4.
Posted on: www.dailyguideghana.com

By William Yaw Owusu

Monday June 6, 2011.
THE ANNUAL June 4 anniversary celebration was once again commemorated by Jerry John Rawlings, one of the architects of the so-called revolution and his cohorts on Saturday.

At the Revolution Square in front of the Jubilee House now Flagstaff House Accra, a sizeable crowd mainly members of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) were there to mark the 32nd anniversary.

JJ Rawlings led the ceremony but did not speak as he was billed to travel to Kumasi that morning to address NDC supporters in his bid to get his wife Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings to unseat President John Evan Atta Mills as the NDC’s flagbearer for the 2012 general elections.

The atmosphere was charged when the former President who doubles as NDC founder arrived to preside over the short ceremony.

For about an hour, the highway from the 37 Military Hospital to Ako Adjei Interchange was blocked to allow the ‘revolutionaries’ to pay their respect to the dead by laying wreaths.

Most people at the scene wore white T-shirts with inscription “June 4 Prevails” and as usual the ceremony began with the pouring of libation followed by Muslim prayers and finally Christian prayers.

After observing a minute of silence in memory of those who lost their lives during the uprising wreaths were laid.

It was Dr. Ekwow Spio-Garbrah who withdrew from the race to become NDC flagbearer at the last hour who laid the first wreath on behalf of Ghanaians.

The second wreath was laid on behalf of the security forces by Martin Amidu, Attorney general and Minister of Justice while the 3rd was laid for cadres by Nii Amasah Namoale, a Deputy Minister of Food and Agriculture with support from Rejoice Amable and Allen Torsu.

The last was laid by WO1 Ben Della in honour of the principles of probity and accountability.

Former Army Chief, Lt. Gen. Arnold Quainoo (Rtd) lighted the perpetual flame with support from two others.
JJ Rawlings was accompanied at the ceremony by his wife and children.

NDC party Chairman Dr. Kwabena Adjei, secretary general Johnson Asiedu Nketia propaganda secretary Richard Quashigah was there for the celebration.

Others who were there included Hani Sherry Ayittey Minister of Environment Science and Technology, Nii Armah Ashittey, Greater Accra Regional Minister among others.

Conspicuously missing was president Mills and his vice John Dramani Mahama.
Herbert Mensah, a friend of the Rawlingses gave the vote of thanks.