By Adnan Adams Mohammed
As the National Democratic Congress (NDC) commemorated its 34th anniversary on Wednesday, Member of Parliament for Klottey-Korle, Hon. Dr. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, made a passionate plea for a more inclusive and expanded consultation process regarding the ongoing review of Ghana’s 1992 Constitution.
Speaking at a high-profile anniversary event in Accra, the lawmaker emphasized that any meaningful constitutional amendment must directly prioritize governance systems that lift ordinary Ghanaians out of economic hardship.
“We cannot review a constitution in a vacuum, detached from the daily economic realities of our people,” Dr. Agyeman-Rawlings stated while addressing party faithful and civil society representatives. “An expanded consultation is non-negotiable. We must build a governance framework that deliberately addresses the fundamental poverty of our people, ensuring social justice and economic equity for all, rather than a privileged few.”
Dr. Agyeman-Rawlings, daughter of the party’s late founder Jerry John Rawlings, argued that true democracy under the Fourth Republic can only be sustained if the supreme law of the land guarantees basic socio-economic rights.
“Our structures must evolve to tackle structural inequality. If the constitution does not put food on the table, protect the vulnerable, or create real jobs, then our review process remains incomplete,” she added.
A Call for Discipline to End Recurring Floods
The 34th-anniversary celebration, marking more than three decades of the NDC’s political journey since its founding on June 10, 1992, was also heavily overshadowed by national concerns over the perennial rainy season disaster.
In a unified address, leadership of the party used the milestone to demand an urgent shift in civic responsibility, pairing their political reflections with a stern call for national discipline to curtail recurring flood disasters across the country.
“As we celebrate 34 years of political influence, we must also confront the immediate crises threatening our communities,” a senior party executive remarked during the commemorative event. “The loss of lives, destruction of livelihoods, and displacement of families due to floods can no longer be tolerated as a seasonal norm. It requires an aggressive combination of government enforcement and, crucially, citizen discipline.”
The party’s leadership urged Ghanaians to desist from building structures along waterways, dumping waste into storm drains, and disregarding urban planning regulations.
“We are calling on every Ghanaian to exercise a high sense of discipline. Let us stop choking our drainage systems with plastics. No amount of engineering or state intervention can completely solve the flooding crisis if the people do not alter their habits,” the party noted in its official anniversary communique.
Political Legacy and Future Outlook
The anniversary comes at a critical time as political parties align their structures ahead of future electoral cycles. While party loyalists spent the day reflecting on major historical milestones in infrastructure, healthcare, and education, the tone of the day remained strictly forward-looking.
Reflecting on the party’s rich legacy born out of the principles of social democracy, Dr. Zanetor Rawlings reminded attendees that the NDC’s foundational values have always rested on accountability and public service.
“Our 34-year journey proves that we are a party of the people. Let us honor that legacy by ensuring our laws protect the poor from economic despair, and our collective discipline protects our cities from environmental disaster,” she concluded.
