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The Member of Parliament for Klottey Korle, Dr. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, has called on Ghanaians to place national interest above parochial considerations and recommit to the principles of integrity, accountability, and selfless service.
She was speaking at the 44th anniversary of the 31st December Revolution.
The anniversary celebration, held in Ada in the Greater Accra Region on Wednesday, December 31, 2025, was held under the theme “Consolidating the Reset Agenda: Reflections on the Gains of the 31st December Revolution.”
Addressing the gathering of supporters of the National Democratic Congress and cadres of the revolution, Dr. Agyeman-Rawlings stressed that neither the June 4 nor the 31st December uprisings occurred in a vacuum, and urged that the historical circumstances and sacrifices that shaped those moments be truthfully conveyed to younger generations.
She stressed the collective spirit and solidarity forged by the revolution emphasising that the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC) era was sustained not by the military alone but through the inclusive participation of civilians across the country, including academics, professionals, farmers and fisherfolk.
“The ten-year history of the PNDC did not happen on the backs of military people alone, It was the inclusivity of every Ghanaian that made it possible and laid the strong foundation upon which our Fourth Republic now stands" she said
Resilience
According to her, the resilience Ghana enjoys today was a result of the commitment and sacrifices of those who contributed to the revolutionary period, which enabled the country to withstand difficult phases in its democratic journey.
Dr. Agyeman-Rawlings warned against arrogance of power and complacency, particularly in the context of growing instability in the ECOWAS sub-region and urged leaders and citizens alike to view incumbency as a privilege to serve rather than an entitlement, stressing the need for governance that is free from corruption, nepotism, marginalisation and ethnic discrimination.
“This country can only survive if we do it together with dignity, respect and timeless principles of integrity, transparency, accountability and probity,” she said.
She underscored the need for a national moral reset, arguing that lowering standards should not be accepted as normal. While acknowledging the monetisation challenges within democratic systems, she urged citizens to defend values that cannot be bought and to resist practices that weaken democratic consolidation.
Using an aviation analogy, she called for continuous self-reflection and course correction in governance, stressing that mistakes must be addressed early to prevent long-term damage.
Decentralisation
Dr. Agyeman-Rawlings also highlighted the importance of decentralisation, urging Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives to effectively implement national policies at the grassroots level, and cautioned against deep partisan divisions that could undermine development.
She reminded public office holders, whether elected or appointed, that they were custodians of the power of the people and must serve with humility, integrity and a strong sense of responsibility.
Touching on education, healthcare, road safety and environmental protection, she called for greater investment in teachers, completion of stalled school projects, discipline in educational institutions and collective responsibility in raising children.
She warned that Ghana’s natural resources would be meaningless without clean water, safe food and a protected environment, urging citizens to act as custodians of the land and water for future generations.
She also called for decency in politics, rejection of sycophancy and renewed commitment to national unity, saying the commemoration was about Ghana’s legacy and the future of the next generation.
“The revolutionary spirit must continue to live in us,” she said.
The General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Fiifi Fiavi Kwetey, cautioned party members against sycophancy and arrogance of power, urging them to remain faithful to the founding ideals of the 31st December Revolution.
Mr. Kwetey reflected on the party’s resilience following its defeat in the 2016 general elections, a period he described as one when many believed the NDC had reached its end. He likened the moment to the aftermath of the party’s loss of power in 2000, when critics similarly predicted its collapse.
He attributed the endurance of the NDC to the revolutionary spirit ignited 44 years ago, stressing that the 31st December Revolution was not about individual ambition but a collective movement to serve the national interest.
“There is a spirit that holds this party together — a never-say-die spirit. No matter how dark it becomes, that spirit always finds a way to rise again.” he said
He recalled that in the early days of the revolution, the late Flt. Lt. Jerry John Rawlings discouraged the display of his portraits in public offices, insisting that the revolution was about the people rather than personal glorification.
Quoting Rawlings, he said the ultimate aim was to build a system so resilient that even a corrupt leader would be constrained by the vigilance of the people.
“That is the bedrock of the revolution — a spirit that rejects sycophancy, rejects bootlicking and places the welfare of the people above all else,” he said.
The NDC General Secretary expressed concern about what he described as the growing culture of sycophancy within the party, warning that blind praise of leaders for personal gain undermines democratic values and the integrity of the party.
“You don’t love this country or this party if all you do is sing praises in the hope of personal benefit,” he cautioned.
Touching on the party’s return to power, Mr. Kwetey said the overwhelming mandate given to the NDC by Ghanaians in the last general elections including a strong parliamentary majority, was beyond human expectation and should be met with humility and gratitude.
He urged party members serving in government to remain disciplined and avoid scandals, warning that misconduct would not be tolerated.
“To whom much is given, much is expected,” he said, adding that the NDC must continue to govern in a manner that justifies the trust placed in it by the people.
He called on NDC members party to place Ghana and the NDC above individual ambition, remain humble in victory and stay committed to the revolutionary principles that have sustained the party.
