Let’s Emulate Rawlings’s Values of Accountability and Probity – Asiedu Nketiah’s Timely Call to Ghanaians
It All Started With a Simple Conversation Over Waakye…
Last Saturday morning, I found myself at my favourite waakye joint in Madina. While waiting for my usual – extra gari, salad, and shito – two elderly men nearby were having a passionate conversation. “If Rawlings were alive, hmm, these politicians no go try this nonsense,” one said, shaking his head. The other replied, “Accountability die finish for this country. Now it’s about who chops the most.”
That raw honesty stayed with me. Later that evening, I scrolled through Facebook and saw a headline: “Let’s Emulate Rawlings’s Values of Accountability, Probity – Asiedu Nketiah Tells Citizens.” It felt like the universe was trying to drive home a point. And honestly? It’s about time we listened.
Rawlings’s Legacy Still Speaks – But Are We Listening?
When General Secretary of the NDC, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, recently called on Ghanaians to uphold Rawlings’s values of accountability and probity, he wasn’t just doing political talk. He was echoing the cry of many ordinary Ghanaians who feel betrayed by a system that seems to reward corruption more than honesty.
Accountability and probity aren’t fancy buzzwords. They’re the foundation of a functioning society. Rawlings didn’t just preach these values — he lived them. Whether you admired him or not, you can’t deny his fierce stance against greed, mismanagement, and impunity.
Why Asiedu Nketiah’s Message Hits Hard in 2025
Let’s face it — Ghana’s current political and economic climate is shaky. With rising cost of living, fuel hikes, and reports of public funds misused like it’s nobody’s business, people are losing trust. That’s why this message is powerful now more than ever.
Asiedu Nketiah, a long-serving figure in Ghana’s political landscape, understands how deep-rooted the nation’s challenges are. So when he says we should emulate Rawlings, he’s pointing us back to a moral compass we’ve slowly abandoned.
What Exactly Did Rawlings Stand For? Let’s Break It Down
1. Accountability Starts With You and Me
Rawlings believed that leadership wasn't just about titles; it was about responsibility. But we often forget that we the people also hold a slice of that duty.
Think about it — are you accountable at your job? Do you over-inflate receipts for per diem? Do you show up late and still expect full pay?
When we demand accountability from leaders, we must reflect it in our own actions too.
2. Probity Means Keeping Things Clean – Even When No One’s Watching
Probity is basically clean hands. Not just avoiding corruption when cameras are rolling, but choosing honesty even when no one is watching. Rawlings famously took a no-nonsense approach — even jailing and firing top officials when they crossed the line.
Today, how many leaders would dare sack their own party members for corruption? Most of them would rather shield them with PR statements.
3. Leadership by Example
Rawlings didn’t live in luxury while preaching sacrifice. He lived modestly compared to many modern politicians. That’s why people followed him — he was one of us.
Our current leaders need to take note. Flying first-class while citizens struggle with dumsor or queuing for water? That’s not it.
Ghana’s Problem Isn’t Just Corruption – It’s Our Tolerance for It
Here’s the bitter truth: many Ghanaians have normalized corruption. From paying bribes to skip the queue at DVLA to “dashing something small” for a police officer, we’ve made corruption part of the system.
And guess what? The politicians are only mirroring society.
Asiedu Nketiah’s call is not just for MPs or ministers. It’s for you, me, our teachers, nurses, traders, and even okada riders. Accountability is a culture, not a campaign slogan.
What Can We Do As Citizens?
1. Demand Transparency – Loudly
Don’t just complain on WhatsApp. Use your voice to ask real questions:
• How was that contract awarded?
• Why are school feeding programs still delayed?
• What happened to the auditor general’s report?
2. Teach the Next Generation Integrity
We can’t raise honest kids in a dishonest culture. Let’s tell our children that “chopping government money” is not a hustle. Let’s reward honesty, not just results.
3. Stop Worshipping Wealth Without Source
We often give front-row seats to flashy people, forgetting to ask how they made their money. If someone suddenly goes from trotro to Toyota Land Cruiser in two months, let’s stop calling it God's blessing and start asking serious questions.
Real Talk: Ghana Needs a Moral Reset
This isn’t about politics. Whether you vote NDC, NPP, or CPP, it’s clear that the moral compass of the nation is spinning out of control. And if we’re honest, we all know Rawlings, for all his faults, brought a certain discipline that is badly missing today.
Asiedu Nketiah might be speaking from the NDC platform, but his message hits deeper — it’s a national call to conscience.
Conclusion: We All Have a Role to Play
We can’t bring Rawlings back, but we can bring back his values. We can choose honesty over convenience. We can hold our leaders accountable without fear. And we can build a Ghana where probity and accountability aren’t just words in a speech — they’re how we live.
If this message speaks to you, don’t keep it to yourself. Share it with a friend, a colleague, or even your WhatsApp group. Let’s start a conversation. Because Ghana won’t change until we decide we’ve had enough of the nonsense.
✊ Over to You:
What do you think about Rawlings’s values in today’s Ghana?
Do you believe they can be revived?
Drop your thoughts in the comments below — let’s talk like we’re back at that waakye joint.
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