Rawlings Legacy
Ghana will continue to undertake many more projects but the Rawlings era will definitely end by the year 2000. He would then have left behind many landmarks stretching from politics to economic gains that will bequeath the country.
The glory will not be for Rawlings alone, the First Lady Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings will also be remembered for supporting not only her husband but for championing the cause of women in Ghana and around the world.
As President of the 31st December Women’s Movement (DWM) Nana Konadu has for over 17 years being involved in women issues, an achievement no First Lady of the country has ever accomplished. Credited with the feat of sensitizing the country about women activities, Nana Konadu and her movement are encouraging women to become active and involved in political activities. They have also increased their economic activities with the active support of the Movement.
The DWM, with a membership of 2 million, is established in every district and most communities in the country. The Movement has not only concentrated its effort on women issues, but on the establishment of Day Care Centers and has also championed the girl-child education campaign in Ghana.
"We adopt a multi-sectoral approach instead of just economic or political to empower the women. Some want education , some want health, some want credit facilities, so the movement seeks to give them strength.", said Nana Konadu. | When Rawlings retires at the end of his second term in political office, it is not certain what he will be doing after leaving office, but certainly Nana Konadu and the Movement will still be around to champion the cause of women.
The NDC party may continue to benefit from Rawlings’ vast experience and Ghanaian will remember him for his efforts in achieving for the country political and economic stability. His critics may not agree and accuse him of failing to transform the country, but posterity will be the best judge.
Mr. Justice D. F. Annan , Speaker of Parliament , believes that the efforts of the government had made Ghana a political gateway in West Africa. "We are now referred to as the political gateway and we are proud of that. We think that we have established a certain standard which should be of interest to other countries in Africa. We really do want to go beyond that". Mr. Annan who is 71 years and served in previous government for 17 years added that for democracy to be sustained, "the legislature will have to demonstrate to the people at large that democracy is all about the conducting of quality debates in the house, by partnership in the national interest whenever necessary, by criticizing objectively government policies and by keeping the government generally on its toes so that we can get practical demonstration of what democracy is all about".
Looking back at three failed attempts at institutionalizing democratic practice in the country, and after four military coup d’états, Ghana will be left with a legacy; a peaceful country and a stable economy. It will however take patience, courage and maturity to sustain the gains of the Rawlings era.
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GHANA
