Residents of Shama in the Western Region have appealed to the government to immortalise the legacies of the late former President Jerry John Rawlings to serve as a reference point for future generations.
They said late President Rawlings had fully paid his dues to the development of the country and, therefore, ensuring that his good legacies remained anchored in the country’s democratic dispensation would be a step in the right direction.
The residents stressed that the country needed people of his calibre with pleasant personalities to move her strides for democratic rule forward.
“His death has been a terrible blow to the country and had more to offer the country but death has denied the country the opportunity to benefit fully from his rich and impeccable experience,” Augustine Nyamekye.
He said the late former President Rawlings demonstrated selflessness, integrity and charisma during his reign as Head of State, which ensured that the country’s socio-economic and political growth were achieved.
Esther Baidoo, a resident of Dwomo and Elizabeth Afful, a resident of Aboadze, said they were distraught to hear of the passing of former President Rawlings.
They encouraged the youth to “emulate the outstanding and unparalleled attributes of the late former President Rawlings to help them achieve excellence in their activities.”
Adisatu Mamudu, a teacher and resident of Nkwantakesedo, said “Papa J” as he was affectionately called abhorred corruption and ensured that stringent punishment were meted out to perpetrators to deter others from engaging in it.
She added that the late former President Rawlings did everything humanly possible to bridge the socio-economic gap between the poor and the rich.
Abubakar Sulemana from Aboadze and Frank Ocran, resident of Ohiamaadwen, recounted how the probity, transparency and accountability championed by the late Flt Lt (rtd) Rawlings put a sense of patriotism in the populace during his tenure. -GNA
