Let�s Tap Resources Of Rawlings, Kufuor

The government of the National Democratic Congress and Ghanaians in general have been called upon to continue to tap the knowledge base of former Presidents, Flt. Lt. Jerry John Rawlings and John Agyekum Kufuor for the rapid socio-economic development of the country. According to the 2012 Atwima Nwabiagya South Parliamentary Candidate of the NDC and expert in International Relations and Global Governance, Alhaji Nuhu Alhassan Dicko, it is important to recognise the potential of both former presidents and use them effectively. He said it was gratifying that the international community was tapping their rich experiences and their knowledge base to bring peace and development to the world. Alhaji Dicko, who made the suggestion in an interview, was of the view that both Rawlings and Kufuor had served two terms as democratically elected presidents of the country and have had enough experience and knowledge which could be utilised in more profitable ventures. He said the government, individual institutions, traditional rulers and the civil society could use the former presidents in the area of crisis in politics, economy, education, agriculture, among others to build the fortunes of the country. �Now that we have the two former presidents alive, we need to say good things about them, having noted their noble efforts as leaders of the country, and use them profitably as well,� he stated, and questioned: �how long would we look on for the outside world to use them for global development?� He noted that Ghana (as a country) had played pivotal roles in international politics since Dr Kwame Nkrumah began the liberation of Africa in 1958 and that some Ghanaian individuals had showcased their prowess in international development on the global arena. He mentioned Busumuru Kofi Annan, former Secretary General of United Nations; Dr Mohammed Ibn Chambas and Alhaji Mohammed Mumuni, Secretary Generals of the Africa Caribbean Pacific (ACP) Group of States, a position amply endorsed by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) as an example to buttress his point. �As a country, we need to be happy and be proud of these personalities who have demonstrated and are still demonstrating their potential globally. In the same way, we cannot afford to continue to wait for the international community to use both Rawlings and Kufuor before, as a country and a people, we realise their capabilities and potential as former presidents,� he stated. He recalled that in October 2010, former President J.J. Rawlings was appointed Africa Union (AU) High Representative for Somalia to mobilise the continent and the rest of the international community to fully assume its responsibility and to contribute more effectively to the world�s quest for peace, security and reconciliation in Somalia. Having been described by the AU as an expert in security and related issues and highly experienced in conflict resolution, Rawlings, as part of his duties, negotiated with high profile Somalian political leaders, organised world class leaders from Addis Ababa to Djibouti through Instanbul to London to sensitise the people of Somalia to embrace the transitional road map. Through the efforts of President Rawlings, between August and September 2012, Somalia gave birth to a new parliament which paved way for new elections. Ghana cannot, therefore, afford to let these potential in him delude the country, Alhaji Nuhu Alhassan Dicko noted. For former President Kufuor, Alhaji Dicko recalled his first appointed alongside former United Kingdom (UK) Scientific Officer, Sir John Beddington, by the International Community in June 2013 as a Co-Chair of Global Panel on Food Systems and Nutrition Security to help livelihood and food security. He further recalled that recently, Kufuor was appointed by the UN as a Special Envoy on Climate Change, alongside former Norwegian Prime Minister, Jeans Stoltenberg, to help heads of states and governments around the world in mobilising countries and actions for advancing 2014�s Climate Summit that would be held in New York, US latter part of this year.