Kumasi, July 16, GNA - The Youth for Leadership in Ghana, a Youth Movement, has urged leaders of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) not to marginalize former President Jerry John Rawlings, in the party's campaign ahead of the 2008 elections. They said even though the former President was no longer in active politics his guidance, advice and motivational speeches were very useful as it was crucial to the NDC's bid to regain power. This was contained in a statement signed by Mr. Amenga-Etego SaCut, National Secretary of the Movement and issued in Kumasi on Wednesday. The Movement expressed concern about what they said were a calculated attempt by a section of the Leadership of the NDC to sabotage Mr. Rawlings in recent times.

The statement said it was quite unfortunate, for instance, for Mr. Haruna Iddrisu, National Youth Organizer of the party to claim in the mass media that the youth of the NDC were generally uncomfortable with utterances of the former President. "Rawlings' speeches and statements in respect of the socio-economic as well as the political happenings in the country should not be misunderstood, but rather perceived as an impetus to strengthening the country's democratic dispensation and freedom of speech", the statement noted.

It said the former President, still remains the single most influential person not only within the party that he founded and led, but also within the entire socio-political structure of Ghana today, and that he should at all times be given the needed respect. The statement further entreated staff of the judiciary to uphold the code of ethics of their profession at all times in their work to help ensure their total independence, whiles retaining the confidence Ghanaians have entrusted in them over the years.