Sunyani, Dec. 14, GNA - The former President, Flt. Lt. Jerry John Rawlings on Saturday called on Ghanaians to support President John Evans Atta Mills to succeed because he has great intentions for Ghana. Speaking in Sunyani at a ceremony to mark the awards ceremony of the 50th anniversary of the creation of the Brong Ahafo Region, Flt. Lt. Rawlings said the National Democratic Congress (NDC) "has no option but to succeed" because the party promised to liberate Ghanaians from economic hardship.

He said the current situation in the country required "candid criticism" to goad government on the right path, saying, "this should not be misconstrued as washing the party's dirty linen in public". Flt. Lt. Rawlings said Ghanaians had a responsibility to demand accountability from government, not only about financial prudence and propriety, but to get clarification about policies.

He said his critique of government was an: "Exercise in self-assessment and exposure of the realities that the ordinary folk face. There is talk of great efforts at fixing the economy, but the economy cannot be fixed unless the holes have been plugged. It is like pouring water into a basket."

The former Head of State said the people were suffering although the NDC promised to deliver them from the bondage they found themselves. "When I speak about these issues, it is because I cannot allow my beloved party to fail. Like I mentioned earlier, Professor Mills has great intentions for Ghana and each individual of sound mind has to help him succeed," he said.

Flt. Lt. Rawlings noted that the NDC had the requisite manpower and expertise to make the country politically and economically vibrant to ensure national development.

He commended the people of the Brong Ahafo Region for voting for the NDC in the 2008 elections.

He noted that the region had played significant roles in agriculture and tourism and called for concerted efforts to develop and exploit the region's tourism potential.

"Today as we celebrate Brong Ahafo@ 50 let us meditate on our dear country Ghana, pray for wisdom for our leaders and adopt a work ethic that exudes patriotism and dedication.

"Ghana is at the crossroads and we all have a responsibility to ensure that the change we clamoured for comes into reality. When we fail we fail together and when we succeed we do so together, so let us pool our resources and ensure that we succeed!"

Flt. Lt. Rawlings used the occasion to call for peace in Bawku, saying: "We need to help bring an end to this conflict.Let us work towards peace."