Former President Jerry Rawlings says President John Atta Mills has very good intentions for Ghana and should be supported to succeed. He cautioned that the National Democratic Congress promised to deliver Ghanaians from hardship and that the party has no option but to succeed. The ex-president was speaking at a ceremony to mark the 50th anniversary of the creation of the Brong Ahafo Region on Saturday and said candid criticism of the current situation is what is required to goad the government on and they should not be misconstrued as washing the party’s dirty linen in public. Rawlings reminding all that every citizen has a responsibility to seek accountability from the government, not just about financial propriety and prudence, but a quest for the government to report back to the people and explain to them the policies that have been put in place to ensure that the party’s electoral promises are fulfilled. He said there is “talk of great efforts at fixing the economy, but the economy cannot be fixed unless the holes have been plugged. It is like pouring water into a basket,” emphasizing that his critique of the government is an exercise in self-assessment and exposure of the realities that the ordinary folk face. “They are suffering and we promised to deliver them from the bondage they found themselves in and we have no option but to succeed. When I speak about these issues, it is because I cannot allow my beloved party to fail. Like I mentioned earlier, Professor Mills has great intentions for Ghana and each individual of sound mind has to help him succeed.” Rawlings said The National Democratic Congress has the requisite manpower and expertise to take this country out of the political and economic wilderness into a vibrant economic environment that will bring economic sustenance to the people and ensure total national development. He commended the people of the Brong Ahafo Region for voting for the NDC in the 2008 elections and capping that support with the Tain Constituency decider, and said the region has been an integral part of Ghana playing hugely significant roles in agriculture and tourism. He also urged the concerted development and exploitation of the region’s abundant tourism potential. He said “Today as we celebrate Brong Ahafo at 50 let us meditate on our dear country Ghana, pray for wisdom for our leaders and adopt a work ethic that exudes patriotism and dedication. Ghana is at the crossroads and we all have a responsibility to ensure that the change we clamoured for comes into reality. When we fail we fail together and when we succeed we do so together so let us pool our resources and ensure that we succeed!” He also called for peace in Bawku and praised the efforts of the National Chief Imam who was recently in the Northern Region to celebrate the Eid ul Adha festival with Mamprusis and Kusasis, saying the National Chief Imam was able to bring leaders of the two factions together. “We need to support this great effort. … We need to help bring an end to this conflict. Let us work towards peace.” Story by Isaac Yeboah/Myjoyonline.com/Ghana