Former President Jerry John Rawlings says the “bad image” of the Mahama-led administration could prevent the National Democratic Congress (NDC) party from winning in 2016.

“It’s most unfortunate but the image of both the government and the party [National Democratic Congress - NDC]…is as bad as what it was into the John Evans Atta Mills’ period and before he died and that’s not healthy at all”, the former President told Metro TV in Accra earlier this week.”

He therefore advised President Mahama to nurture people with vision to restore hope to the party and Ghanaians.

“These personalities will have to be bold and ready to think outside of the box. We have to have people who can raise the image of the party hopefully extend it onto the Executive as well. Because quite frankly… if the NDC does not, she will be fighting on the same terms as [New Patriotic Party]”, former Rawlings asserted, in reference to recent rebellion and infighting within the opposition New Patriotic Party.”

The former President also called on delegates to elect bold individuals capable of advising the government against wrongdoings.

He also raised concerns about President Mahama’s commitment to the fight against corruption, and urged him to work harder to fight the canker.


He said though he had made similar calls on several occasions, not much has been done to rescue the image of the party and government, which he said was “suffering under a cloud and climate of corruption”.

“How many times hasn’t he [President Mahama] assured the public of dealing with corruption, and yet we are not seeing enough that will help to clear the image of the government”, he noted.

This is teh second time the former President has criticised the Mahama-led government this month.

During a special congregation at the University of Education, Winneba (UEW), last week Thursday, where an honorary doctorate degrees were conferred on him and two others, Mr Rawlings said “the unprecedented levels of corruption, offensive show of power and opulence by some at a time when our country requires prudence and frugality, is an issue that I call on President Mahama to set his eyes on.”

http://www.citifmonline.com/2014/08/22/mahama-might-not-win-in-2016-rawlings/