Legal practitioner and statesman Tsatsu Tsikata has urged the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) to resist the temptation of measuring its performance against previous administrations, warning that such an approach could undermine the party’s founding ideals and lower national expectations.
Delivering the keynote address at the 79th birthday lecture and exhibition of former President Jerry John Rawlings in Accra on Monday, June 22, Mr Tsikata said the NDC must aspire to higher standards of governance anchored in accountability, discipline, integrity and transformational leadership.
Speaking on the theme, “From Revolution to Fourth Republic: The Rawlings Legacy,” he cautioned that public dissatisfaction with the previous administration should not become a benchmark for judging the current government’s performance.
According to him, Ghanaians expect more than marginal improvements and deserve leadership that pursues excellence in governance and national development.
“There is a danger that we lower the bar of what the nation expects of us and aim to be just a little better than the previous government,” he said, stressing that such a mindset would be inconsistent with the values and aspirations that shaped the NDC’s political tradition.
Mr Tsikata argued that the outcome of the 2024 elections reflected the electorate’s continued demand for probity, accountability and anti-corruption measures, principles he said remain central to the party’s identity.
Drawing lessons from the leadership of the late Jerry John Rawlings, he described the former President as a transformational figure whose vision extended beyond electoral politics to include economic empowerment, grassroots participation and national renewal.
He highlighted several reforms associated with the Rawlings era, including efforts to revitalise cocoa production, expand access to electricity, strengthen local governance structures and attract investment into the economy.
Mr Tsikata further praised Rawlings for his ability to identify and mobilise talented individuals for national service, describing that quality as one of the late President’s most enduring contributions to Ghana’s development.
He called on current political leaders to embrace humility, strategic leadership and accountability, insisting that strong institutions and inclusive development remain critical to rebuilding public trust in governance.
The event also featured tributes from traditional leaders and members of the Rawlings family, who urged Ghanaians to uphold the values of justice, integrity and national service championed by the late statesman.
Chairman of the programme, Togbe Afede XIV, described Rawlings as a symbol of honesty and accountability, while Yaa Asantewaa Agyeman-Rawlings, Executive Director of the J.J. Rawlings Foundation, encouraged citizens to reflect on his legacy and recommit themselves to national development and environmental stewardship.
