The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has launched its observance of "NDC Month" on Friday, May 15. This month-long event honors the legacy of the June 4 Uprising. The party urges its members to embrace patriotism, sacrifice, accountability, and selflessness. Celebrations will continue until June 22.
The observance includes lectures, commemorative ceremonies, and educational activities planned across Ghana. This year, the climax will be held in the Bono Region, the site of the main June 4 commemoration. NDC General Secretary, Mr. Fiifi Fiavi Kwetey, stated that the annual event serves as a time for reflection and recommitment to the party's founding principles. May 15 marks the date of a failed uprising in 1979 led by Jerry John Rawlings, which preceded the June 4 Uprising.
The NDC's political tradition is rooted in the courage, honesty, sacrifice, and responsibility exemplified by Flt Lt Rawlings. Mr. Kwetey emphasized that these ideals are central to the party's outlook and the nation's progress. The theme for this year's commemoration, "Strengthening State Institutions: Lessons from the June 4, 1979 Uprising," highlights the importance of prioritizing national interest. This theme is especially relevant given concerns about public officials using their positions for personal enrichment.
Mr. Kwetey cautioned NDC members against viewing the party solely as a means to gain power for personal benefit. He stressed that the NDC is fundamentally a vehicle for the empowerment of the Ghanaian people. The youth, in particular, are encouraged to understand the party's ideological foundations. A public lecture on June 3 in Banda Constituency, Bono Region, will explore the historical significance of the June 4 Uprising. This session will also examine the role of state institutions in promoting accountability.
Further activities include a flag-raising ceremony, wreath-laying, and the lighting of a perpetual flame on June 4. June 10, marking the NDC's founding, will be celebrated as "NDC Day." This day will focus on the party's ideology and encourage youth participation. A cadres' program on transparent governance and grassroots mobilization is scheduled for June 19.
The month concludes on June 22, which is the birth anniversary of former President Jerry John Rawlings. This date will be observed as Founder's Day. The NDC will collaborate with the Jerry John Rawlings Foundation for these events. Plans include unveiling a bust of Jerry John Rawlings. Additionally, the party's national headquarters in Accra will be renamed "Rawlings House" in his honor.