PNC, CPP want Limann’s wife ‘resettled’ before Rawlingses

Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings         The latest twist to the Rawlingses resettlement debate is a tale of an opposition party labeling the issue as a throwback to history. The youth wings of the Convention People’s Party (CPP) and the People’s National Convention (PNC) say the current developments are nothing different from how the late President Dr Hilla Limann was treated after he was deposed in a coup d’état by the Provisional National Defense Council (PNDC) led by ex-President Jerry Rawlings. In a joint statement signed by CPP National Youth Organiser, James Kwabena Bomfeh, issued in Accra on Tuesday, the youth said the PNDC poorly treated Dr Limann “to the extent that the payment of his hospital bills became a huge issue as to who was to pay?” Dr Limann who was President of Ghana from 24 September, 1979 on the ticket of the People’s National Party (PNP) following Rawlings’ 1979 revolt was removed on 31 December, 1981 by Mr Rawlings through the barrel of the gun. They group is calling on government to ensure that Mrs Felera Limann, wife of Dr Limann, is “well settled” before anybody “[disturbs] us with the urgency of resettling the Rawlingses.” “They came to overtake some in line already. So if the course of providence has allowed us the opportunity to revisit the situation and correct the dastard anomaly, then why don’t we use the occasion to wipe the slate even cleaner, and do what is logically right, humane and proper for all concerned. We are all Ghanaians first, and foremostly, equal before the law,” the statement said. The are also calling on former President Rawlings and his wife Konadu Agyeman Rawlings to “undeservedly” apologise to Mrs Limann. “As a country, we have failed woefully to recognize our past heads of state and accord them the respect their offices require. Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah was demonised and criminalised by the NLC that overthrew him. Prof Busia was also demonized. Dr Limann was disgraced and humiliated to abject poverty till he died. It is strange to find out that any careful study of this phenomenon reveals how we are discouraging well meaning, patriotic citizens to offer themselves for nation building. In the end, failure to get the true selfless leaders, we get cheats and charlatans who presents themselves as sheep though they really energy suckers hence the extent of our underdevelopment in the face of abundant resources. “If the future of this country is going to be any different, then we must begin today, to change our attitudes and embrace best practices that can help us take our rightful position in world affairs. Let the nation show regret to Dr Limann and the PNP family. Let former President Rawlings and his wife apologise unreservedly to Mrs Fulera Limann and the PNP for the unnecessary and unjustifiable treason they committed against the sovereign will of Ghana,” the youth said. Meanwhile, government says it is working on modalities to ensure a comfortable accommodation is secured for Mr and Mrs Rawlings after fire gutted their Ridge residence on 14 February. It comes amidst reports that ex-President Kufuor has been given a two-bedroom house for an office. Story by Fiifi Koomson/Myjoyonline.com/Ghana