Accra, March 6, GNA - On the occasion of Ghana's 51st Independence Anniversary celebration, Former President Jerry John Rawlings on Wednesday sent a congratulatory message to the people of Ghana for their endurance

and support for national development efforts. A statement issued by the office of the Former President said: "there is no doubt that the nation has made tremendous strides in her political, economic and social development efforts but there remain formidable challenges.

"It is also unfortunate that our nation's aspiration of fair play, freedom and justice at independence have been completely negated under the NPP's administration.

"Deprivation, despair, uncertainty and injustice are what most Ghanaians, especially our youth and women, contend with at the time President John Agyekum Kufuor and his group is living ostentatious lifestyles.

"I salute Ghanaians, in particular women for being a major part of the struggle and agitations that led to our independence in 1957 and also for their untiring effort to the building of our nation Ghana. The recognition of deserved political role of women globally should not escape Ghanaians. There is therefore no better time than today for Ghana to do same.

"We have an opportunity to use this year's election as a means of restoring freedom, justice fair play and hope. The integrity of the electoral process is paramount to restoring our collective Independence aspirations which has been lost in our society today. This must start with the registration exercise.

"I call on the International Community not to turn its face away from Ghana as she prepares for her election this year. Nothing must be done, as happened in 2004, to deny the electorate of their preferred choice in this year's general elections because the consequences of such an action in Ghana today could be unimaginable. Unlike the developed democracy where electoral fraud does not result in a loss of even a breakfast, in Africa lives are lost.

"It is on this score that I demand the restoration of electoral integrity in our body politic."