By Benjamin Adamafio Commey, GNA
Accra, June 23, GNA – Mr Tsatsu Tsikata, a legal practitioner and statesman, has urged the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) to uphold higher standards of governance and avoid complacency in public service.
He said the party must remain committed to accountability, probity, discipline and national transformation to sustain public confidence in Ghana’s democracy and preserve the ideals associated with its founding traditions.
Mr Tsikata made the call on Monday in Accra when he delivered the keynote address at the 79th birthday lecture and exhibition of former President Jerry John Rawlings on the theme: “From Revolution to Fourth Republic: The Rawlings Legacy.”
He said the legacy of the late President Rawlings should serve as a guide for future governance rather than be regarded as nostalgia or political symbolism.
Mr Tsikata cautioned against measuring performance solely against previous administrations, saying such an approach would lower national expectations and undermine the values on which the NDC was founded.
“There is a danger, especially after what the country went through in the disastrous 2017 to 2024 period under President Akufo-Addo and Vice President Bawumia, there is a danger that we lower the bar of what the nation expects of us in the NDC and that we aim to be just a little better than the previous government.
“May I say without hesitation that this would be both an affront to the people of Ghana as well as an affront to the illustrious traditions of the NDC,” he said.
Mr Tsikata said the outcome of the 2024 general election showed that Ghanaians continued to value accountability, integrity and anti-corruption principles, which he described as central to the NDC’s political tradition.
Reflecting on the life of the late President Rawlings, he described him as a transformational leader who inspired national action, promoted grassroots participation and advanced democratic governance during challenging periods in Ghana’s history.
He said Rawlings viewed democracy as extending beyond elections to include economic empowerment, particularly for ordinary citizens and rural producers.
Mr Tsikata highlighted reforms undertaken during the Provisional National Defence Council era, including initiatives to revive cocoa production, attract investment, expand electricity access, liberalise telecommunications and strengthen local governance through district assemblies.
He also commended the late President’s commitment to education, human resource development and national unity, and said one of his most enduring achievements was his ability to identify and mobilise talented Ghanaians in service of the nation.
“Perhaps the most important achievement which consolidates his legacy is that he drew into the service of the nation the dedication and commitment of some of the most talented and patriotic Ghanaians of his generation,”
“He was relentless in his intent to identify capabilities wherever they came from,” he said.
Mr Tsikata said credited Rawlings with helping to restore Ghana’s international standing, supporting African liberation struggles and strengthening ties with the African diaspora.
He called on current and future leaders to demonstrate humility, strategic thinking and accountability, saying public confidence in politics could be rebuilt through strong institutions and inclusive national development.
Togbe Afede XIV, Chairman of the event, said Rawlings championed honesty, probity, accountability, justice and equal opportunity, values that continued to inspire many Ghanaians and support democratic governance.
He urged citizens to honour the former President’s memory by upholding those principles and recommitting themselves to national service for the country’s development.
Ms Yaa Asantewaa Agyeman-Rawlings, Executive Director of the J.J. Rawlings Foundation, commended the NDC leadership for renaming the party’s headquarters after its founder, describing the move as recognition of Rawlings’ contribution to Ghana’s democratic development.
She called for renewed reflection on the late President’s values and sacrifices, saying his legacy challenged both citizens and leaders to reject complacency and embrace justice, accountability and service.
Ms Agyeman-Rawlings also reaffirmed the Foundation’s commitment to preserving Rawlings’ legacy through practical initiatives, including the Tree Guardianship Project aimed at promoting environmental sustainability.
GNA
Edited by Kenneth Sackey
Reporter: Benjamin Adamafio Commey
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