Former President Jerry John Rawlings is expected to celebrate June 4th virtually this year due to coronavirus.
The Communications Directorate of his office made this known in a statement issued on Wednesday, June 3, signed by Kobina Andoh Amoakwa.
According to the statement, all is set for the virtual celebration.
It is unclear whether former President John Mahama who has conspicuously absented himself from such celebrations over the years would partake in the virtual celebration.
The statement says “All is set for the virtual celebration of the 41st anniversary of the June 4 uprising on Thursday.”
“Former President Flt Lt Jerry John Rawlings and leader of the uprising will deliver the keynote address for the event which will be under the theme, “Strengthening the Spirit of Patriotism, Resilience and Integrity in Difficult Times”, it says.
Due to existing social distancing and ban on public gathering protocols instituted by the government as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, the event will not be open to the public, it announced.
According to the anniversary planning committee, other speakers at the E-durbar will include NDC General Secretary, Johnson Asiedu Nketia as well as Dr. Benjamin Kunbuor, Ambassador Dan Abodakpi, Maame Efua Sekyi-Addo and Sussie Efua Adoboe all leading members of the NDC.
“Selected members of the media have been invited to cover the E-Durbar. All non-invited media and the general public should kindly log in to the former President’s social media platforms for a live broadcast of the event. The social media handles are as follows:
Facebook – @JerryJohnRawlings
Twitter – @JerryJohnRawlings
Youtube – @JerryJohn”.
“As part of the celebrations, donations will be made to the Muslim community in commemoration of the Eid ul Fitr and select medical facilities will receive PPEs to support the fight against the corona virus.
Ahead of the durbar which will be broadcast from Flt Lt Rawlings office, there will be a wreath-laying and lighting of perpetual flame at Nungua last stop where the famous June 4 tree is located, it noted.
The organizing committee wishes to inform sympathisers and members of the public to observe the event on the designated social media platforms as the event will not be open to the public due to the Covid pandemic, it said.
On June 4, 1979, members of the military, drawn mostly from the junior ranks and inspired by mass social and public discontent, took over the governance of the country after it had sunk into a state of social, economic and political decay.
The following three months led to a ‘housecleaning’ exercise after which elections were held and the mantle of political leadership handed over to the government of the People’s National Party, ushering in the Third Republic.
