Dr. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, Member of Parliament for Klottey-Korle, has called on Ghanaians to uphold the principles of probity, accountability, and integrity during a ceremony held Wednesday in Keta to unveil a statue in honor of her father, former President Flt. Lt. Jerry John Rawlings.
Accompanied by her brother, Kimathi Agyeman-Rawlings, the MP noted that while her father famously preferred to live in the hearts of the people rather than be immortalized in monuments, the statue serves as a vital symbol of his dedication to the nation. She emphasized that the true meaning of his legacy lies in the way citizens conduct their lives and urged future generations to maintain the monument as a prompt to reflect on the country’s history and future direction.
The event was attended by high-ranking traditional leaders, including the Awoamefia of Anlo, Togbi Sri III, and the Awadada, Togbi Agbesi Awusu II. Dr. Agyeman-Rawlings acknowledged that while the family remains in mourning following the recent passing of former First Lady Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, they felt it was essential to honor the invitation due to the significance of the occasion for both the Anlo State and the people of Ghana.
Speaking on the former president’s leadership, Dr. Senanu Kwesi Djokoto, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the National Health Insurance Authority, highlighted Rawlings’ contributions to environmental justice and coastal livelihoods, specifically citing the Keta Sea Defence Project.
Dr. Djokoto credited the late leader with establishing Ghana’s democratic stability by subjecting himself to the will of the people in 1992 and overseeing a peaceful transition of power after two terms. National Democratic Congress Chairman Johnson Asiedu Nketia added that the monument is intended to educate those who did not live through the Rawlings era, noting that even though the former president rejected such honors during his lifetime, it is now appropriate to formally recognize his contributions to national development.
The sponsors of the statue, Mawuko Djikunu and Selassie Kekesie, stated that the monument was built to inspire the youth and remind them that greatness is derived from courage and service. The ceremony drew a wide array of dignitaries, including regional ministers, various Members of Parliament, and party officials from both the NDC and NPP, all gathering to pay their respects to the man who transformed Ghana’s political landscape.
Ruth Abla ADJORLOLO
