The Office of Former President Jerry John Rawlings has explained he excused himself from the 63rd National Independence Day parade in Kumasi to join the people of Sogakope in the Volta Region to celebrate the day.
It was to show solidarity with the people of the area following the recent spate of violent attacks, which culminated in the death of the Assembly member of the area, Marcus Mawutor Azahli last week.
The former president also urged the police administration to equip its men to enable them to perform their roles effectively and efficiently and residents and security agencies to be vigilant to prevent such violent, criminal attacks.
A statement issued by the Office of the former president said he joined the people of Sogakope “to express my condolences and sympathies to all that has happened over the last month, I’m hopeful correct information will be forthcoming to ensure those responsible for the savagery are dealt with.
“I think some of these things happen because some of the killings that have been going on in the country and especially in the area are not being dealt with appropriately, so people feel they can do things with impunity and get away with it, knowing they will not pay the price with their lives as well,” it stated.
Describing the parade as one of the most impressive he had witnessed since he started observing the annual district event, the statement said former President Rawlings expressed his admiration for the energy on the ground and urged the people to preserve and use it for benefit of the area, the region and the country.
It advised students and the youth to desist from illicit use of drugs, appreciate the pain their parents endured to raise resources to educate them, it was imperative they studied hard to achieve highest academic qualifications to enable them to contribute their quota to growth and development of the community.
The statement cautioned okada riders and other commercial drivers to desist from drink driving as that had been responsible for increasing reports of motor crashes in the area and on the erection of speed ramps within the South Tongu area, described most of the ramps as ‘obstacles’ that weaken vehicle shock absorbers and springs leading to preventable road accidents. -3news.com