Former President, Flt Lt Jerry John Rawlings says his criticism of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) government is nothing personal but a result of the latter’s inability to pursue the agenda the electorate voted for. According to him, he will be doing the people of Ghana a great disservice if he looks on unconcerned as matters take a turn for the worse. “Who says I have not attempted on numerous occasions to voice my feelings candidly and forcefully in private?” he posited on Saturday while delivering an address as Guest of Honour at a durbar to climax activities marking the Tagbaza festival of the people of Anlo-Afiadenyiba in the Volta Region. The former president said: “When I speak I do not speak for myself. I speak for the suffering masses who, though not expecting magic overnight, also see no light at the end of the tunnel because the status quo the NPP left behind is intact!” Rawlings called on the people of Anlo-Afiadenyigba to strive to protect natural resources such as the Keta Lagoon which provides them food security and economic activity. “Ladies and gentlemen, we have to be thankful that we are endowed with natural resources such as the Keta Lagoon, which is a major source of food and economic activity for our people. We must not forget however that we have to strive hard to protect these resources from negative practices that will reduce their ability to sustain our food security and provide other economic activity such as salt winning and irrigation for our farms.” He said most water resources nationwide have been poorly catered for in the last few decades leading to many of them not being a healthy source of fish or potable water and urged the people, while they undertake the annual festivals to venerate the Keta Lagoon, to desist from polluting it. Rawlings also urged the people to look to enhancing education since it is paramount in sustaining and improving the socio-economic development of Anlo-Afiadenyigba and the country as a whole. He was presented with a bronze-sculptured portrait by the people. Read the full text of the former President’s address below. Myjoyonline.com/Ghana