NDC to hold vigil in Rawlings’ honour on Sunday
The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) will on Sunday, November 15, 2020, hold a special vigil in memory of the late former president, Jerry John Rawlings.
The vigil will take place at the Obra Spot in Accra from 5:00 pm to 12:00 midnight.
Mr Rawlings died in the early hours of Thursday, November 12, 2020, at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital.
He passed on at the age of 73, leaving behind his wife, Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings and four children.
To honour its fallen founder, the party’s regional, constituency offices and the national headquarters, have been directed to open books of condolences.
Also, party offices will be draped in red and black, and party flags will fly at half-mast during the period of mourning.
This was contained in a statement signed by the General Secretary of the party, Johnson Aseidu Nketia, in which the NDC expressed shock at the loss of its founder.
“The NDC is in deep shock following the sudden demise of our founder Flt. Lt. Jerry John Rawlings, former President of the Republic of Ghana. We honour the life of this bold, courageous, and outspoken icon who was driven by a deep love for his country and the downtrodden,” excerpts of the statement read.
The party described its founder as one who “lived a simple life and abhorred ostentation of any sort. It is therefore the intention of the party to organise funeral related activities in line with his long-cherished ideals and the principles he stood for.”
It further said that it is committed to upholding the principles of its founder stood for.
“In pursuit of President Rawlings’ strong conviction of probity, accountability and transparency, the NDC will continue our fight to rid the country of corruption, nepotism, and cronyism. We will not take our eyes off the ball until our goal is achieved.”
Already, many world and African leaders and other Ghanaian personalities have poured in their tributes to mourn the former President.
On behalf of the government and people of the Republic of Liberia, and in my own name, I wish to convey deepest and profound sympathy to the government and people of Ghana, the Rawlings family and the entire Africa for the death of a great statesman, Former President….. pic.twitter.com/HoGxb1owRP
— George Weah (@GeorgeWeahOff) November 12, 2020
The General Overseer of Action Chapel International, Archbishop Nicholas Duncan-Williams, had earlier announced that it will hold a memorial and prayer service in honour of the late former president, JJ Rawlings.
Meanwhile, the people of Agbozume in the Volta Region, on Saturday morning organised a memorial walk to pay their last respect to the former president.
Rawlings hailed from Dzelukope, a suburb of Keta in the Volta Region. Over the years, the Volta Region has remained a stronghold of the country’s largest opposition.
Below is the NDC’s statement:
