Former President Rawlings Friday almost wept in front of students of the University of Ghana when he poured out his frustration and lamentations about the ill-treatment being visited on him and his family by the National Democratic Congress government, led by President John Evans Atta Mills, the man he picked from political obscurity into limelight.
According to Mr Rawlings, he and his family, especially the wife, are now being treated as nonentities by President Mills and his appointees, who he has constantly described as �greedy bastards� and �fair weather friends.�
Addressing the annual week celebration of the University of Ghana, the founder of the ruling party told his audience that the treatment being meted out to them was so sordid that it had elicited sympathy from the opposition who now come to their defence and make appeals for them. �Look at the way they are trying to destroy her [Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings] and me,� Mr Rawlings cried out, adding �I�m now being treated like an outcast� by members of the party he formed and signed its manifesto with his blood.
Former President Rawlings again took President Mills to the cleaners, questioning the quality of leadership he is offering the nation, which has been variously described as uninspiring, clueless and directionless.
He joined other well-meaning Ghanaians in their blistering attacks on President John Evans Atta Mills over his lackadaisical attitude towards dealing with the over two-week strike action embarked upon by members of the Ghana Medical Association.
Like others, Mr Rawlings accused President Mills of not showing leadership in dealing with the crisis in the health sector, adding that the government�s poor handling of the situation showed it was insensitive to the plight of the citizenry.
Mr Rawlings further bemoaned the worsening economic circumstances of the people, stressing that the ordinary citizens are confronted with the reality of stark poverty and can hardly meet their basic needs, such as food, paying the school fees of the children and paying for their medical treatment.
He accused the Mills-Mahama led NDC government of not concentrating on the core business of providing for the welfare of the people who gave them the mandate to rule.
In his view, what has been the pre-occupation of Mills and his appointees is seeking ways to promote the political ambitions of their own, while undermining the ambitions of others they disagree with, accusing them of doing so through monetary and other material inducements.
This situation, he noted, had led to disenchantment among the masses, something he feels would spell the electoral doom of the NDC in the 2012 general elections, stressing �Saving the NDC is going to be difficult.�
<<Print>>