President John Evans Atta Mills Tuesday noted that the significance of the June 4 Uprising, the 31st anniversary of which falls on Friday, goes beyond individuals and serves as a reminder on accountability for those who serve in public office. He said his belief in the principles of probity and accountability had always reminded him of June 4 and not only when the day came. Speaking exclusively to the Daily Graphic on the occasion of the anniversary to be marked with a rally in Tamale on Friday, President Mills said, "Probity and accountability are principles which I personally cherish. I always observe June 4 and not only when the day comes." He said he observed the event every day because "I believe every decision, every action 1 take must stand the test of public scrutiny." He further asserted his belief in the principle because "ultimately, I am accountable to all Ghanaians and not just a party, my family or friends". The President said he respected the fact that June 4, as a historic landmark, was acknowledged in the constitution of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), stressing that "it was not enshrined in the party's constitution because we seek to glorify the excesses to which sometimes things went". "In fact, beyond the excesses, there are lessons and constant reminders to those who serve in public positions," he added. President Mills said the connection between June 4 and the NDC was, therefore, not just because the key personality in the 1979 uprising, Flt Lt Jerry John Rawlings, was also the founder of the NDC but because of the principles of probity and accountability which it brought to the fore of Ghanaian politics. "Of course, as former President Rawlings himself once said, 'June 4 did not invent probity and accountability'. What it did was to register it in much stronger terms in the nation's body politic," he said. Source: Daily Graphic/Ghana