Former President Jerry John Rawlings has asked President John Dramani Mahama to purge his government of characters he described as ‘leeches, parasites, thieves and liars’ if he wants to succeed.

The former president said President Mahama should pick men and women of integrity to fill various positions in his government.

Speaking at the 31st anniversary celebration of the 31st December Revolution in Accra on Monday, Mr Rawlings, who is also the founder of the NDC, said with those supposed leeches, parasites, thieves and liars parading the corridors of power, he was not sure the Mahama government would succeed.

He therefore sought God’s guidance for President Mahama as he prepared to be sworn-in on December 7.

“He should have the courage to prevent leeches, parasites, opportunists, thieves and liars from taking refuge in his government. I wish him well and I wish Ghanaians well,” the former president said.

This was not the first time Mr Rawlings has had cause to advise an NDC government against such characters who he labeled ‘greedy bastards’, ‘evil dwarfs’ and ‘babies with sharp teeth’.

Mr Rawlings gave a lot of these pieces of advice during the tenure of the late President John Evans Atta Mills.

Most of these admonitions had often been interpreted by senior members of the administration and the leadership of the party he formed as attacks on the President and government.

At a point, he was compelled by prevailing circumstances to refer to some members of the administration as ‘greedy bastards, old evil dwarfs, babies with sharp teeth among others.

After lighting the perpetual flame at last year’s celebration, the former President asked Ghanaians to work to improve sanitation across the country because of the health issues confronting the nation.

President Rawlings paid glowing tribute to persons like Dr Ayirebi Acquah and Warrant Officer (WO) Albert Baffa and WO Salifu for their sense of bravery and fortitude during the early days of the revolution.

He was particularly grateful to Dr Ayirebi Acquah for leaving his job in Zimbabwe to come to Ghana at the onset of the revolution and recounted how the doctor’s only Volvo saloon car was used to inaugurate branches of the June 4 Movement across the country.

Both individuals were praised for their courage during the infamous June 4 uprising as well as the 31st December Revolution.

Mr Rawlings recalled how some individuals ran away when others were exhibiting sheer bravery, but were quick to jump on to the bandwagon to claim leadership positions.

Given the opportunity, Dr Ayirebi Acquah expressed profound gratitude to Mr Rawlings for the honour done him by making him serve in his government.

Dr. Ayirebi Acquah with the assistance of WO Ben Dalla and WO Nick Gbeku laid a wreath on behalf of the security services while Madam Peace Aryee of the 31st December Women’s Movement laid one on behalf of the cadres.

Present were the Otublohum Mantse and Acting President of the Ga Traditional Council, Nii Dodoo Nsaki II, National Security Coordinator, Lt. Col. Larry Gbevlo Lartey (rtd), Greater Accra Regional Minister, Joseph Nii Laryea Afotey Agbo, cadres, members of the security agencies, NDC supporters and Ministers of State.