A founding member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Comrade Kofi Totobi Quakyi, has called on members of the party and Ghanaians to critically examine and preserve the values associated with the leadership and legacy of former President Flight Lieutenant Jerry John Rawlings.
Delivering an address titled “From Revolution to the Fourth Republic: The Rawlings Legacy” in Accra on Monday, June 22, 2026, Mr. Totobi Quakyi said the legacy of the former president should not be reduced to nostalgia or political symbolism but must be reflected through commitment to service, accountability and democratic values.
Mr. Totobi Quakyi, who served as a cadre of the 31st December Revolution and later became a founding member of the NDC, said his political journey was shaped by the belief that politics was a responsibility rooted in sacrifice, discipline and commitment to the public good.
He said the history of the NDC was built by individuals who dedicated themselves to a cause beyond personal ambition, mentioning several pioneers of the party and the revolutionary tradition who contributed to shaping its identity.
“For almost nineteen years, through thick and thin, I sat at the feet of Flt. Lt. Jerry John Rawlings,” he said, adding that his reflections were based on his experiences working closely with the former leader.
Mr. Totobi Quakyi said the transition from the revolutionary period to the Fourth Republic must be viewed as an opportunity for honest reflection on the ideals that guided the movement.
He noted that while the revolution had challenges, its central lessons included the need for justice, probity, accountability, dignity for ordinary citizens and democratic stability.
“Not every action of those years was perfect. No honest participant in that history can make such a claim. But the essential lesson of the revolution was clear: that Ghana must belong to the many, not the few,” he stated.
According to him, the sacrifices of the revolutionary era contributed to a renewed national consciousness and strengthened the principle that political power must remain accountable to the people.
He highlighted the peaceful transfer of power in 2000, when President Rawlings accepted the outcome of elections after years in office, as a significant moment that strengthened Ghana’s democratic journey.
Mr. Totobi Quakyi urged the NDC to remain committed to the principles on which it was founded, warning against tendencies that could portray the party as being driven by personal interests rather than public service.
“The NDC was not founded as a vehicle for personal aggrandizement. It was founded as a movement of purpose,” he said.
He expressed concern that continued doubts among some Ghanaians about whether the party represents a different standard of governance could weaken public confidence in democratic institutions.
According to him, the greatest threat to democracy is not simply electoral defeat but the perception that political parties have become indistinguishable in their approach to governance.
“When citizens conclude that all parties are alike, they do not merely reject politicians. They begin to reject the democratic system itself,” he warned.
Mr. Totobi Quakyi called on the party to give citizens renewed confidence by demonstrating commitment to accountability, discipline and grassroots-oriented leadership.
He also encouraged the Rawlings Foundation to focus on leadership development to nurture future leaders committed to values and service rather than political advantage.
Reflecting on generational changes within the NDC, he said political parties must evolve but should not lose their core identity.
“Structures, strategies and personalities may change; the core values of a revolutionary tradition must not,” he said.
He praised former President Rawlings for his political judgment and ability to make strategic decisions in the interest of the collective good, while cautioning that ambition must always be guided by timing and responsibility.
Mr. Totobi Quakyi said the political journey of Jerry Rawlings, former President John Evans Atta Mills and President John Dramani Mahama represents a continuous story of the NDC and urged members to protect the unity and stability of the party.
He ended his address by urging a new generation of Ghanaians to uphold democratic values, patriotism and the responsibility of protecting the country’s future.
“May the memory of Flt. Lt. Jerry John Rawlings continue to summon us to courage, to discipline, to justice and to service,” he said.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
