Editorial: God Save The Rawlinges!

Last Sunday’s fire outbreak at the official residence of former President Rawlings has left in its wake a trail of sorrow, pain, anguish and shock

At a time as this, GO joins all well meaning Ghanaians to express its deepest sympathies to the former President and his family, who no doubt have suffered a tragedy that will linger for a long time.

In stating so, we are even more grateful to God that Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings and one of the Rawlings children, Yaa Asantewaa as well as the domestic staff of the couple escaped unhurt. This nation and particularly, members of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) would have taken a long time to come to terms with the reality if any life had been lost in the fire.

We pray to God that in his mercy, grace and favour, he gives the Rawlingses the strength, courage and mercies to overcome this calamity. In all of this, we recall with deep appreciation Mr. Rawlings comments in the wake of the disaster to the effect that: we came without and shall leave without. That for us signifies a certain submission to the will of God on the part of Mr. Rawlings as head of his family.

Alas! The loss suffered by the Rawlings clan cannot be quantified as it is evident that family and national documents as well as materials have been lost forever. In the case of the children of the family, they may also be worse off as vital documents such as certificates may have been lost forever.

We have no doubt that Mr. Rawlings with the support of the government ad all Ghanaians will steer his family through these turbulent times. We recall his leadership of Ghana through the famine of the early 80s and pray that God will give him the same strength and more at such a time to help stabilize his family.

Though Mr. Rawlings has over the years by his politics, comments and conduct brought regret and pain to many sections of our people and indeed continues to do so, we urge any person who harbours any angst or bitterness against Mr. Rawlings in particular to forgive him, even it temporarily as he goes through the paces of starting all over again.

We also urge him to take it easy at a time like this as signals we have picked from sources close to him point to conspiracy theories that are likely to be brought up. For now, Mr. Rawlings and his family require the prayers, love and concern of all Ghanaians.

We ask government as a matter of priority to speed up efforts to find suitable alternative accommodation for the Rawlings clan whilst steps are taken to put up a fitting, modern official residence for him.

As Ghanaians await the official reasons for the cause of the fire at the Rawlings residence, let us all take safety precautions at our various workplaces, homes and wherever we find ourselves to prevent the recurrence of any more fires.

Once again, we ask for God’s protection for the Rawlingses and wish them well as they start all over again. May our nation, its leadership and people be spared such tragedies.

Source: The Ghanaian Observer