The Volta Regional Secretary of the National Democratic Congress, Mr James Gunu has challenged president Nana Akufo to institute June 4 and 31 December as a National holiday to clear doubt on his dislike against former President Rawlings and his principles of probity, accountability, transparency and social justice. 
 
According to him, making June 4 and 31 December a holiday will be a perfect way to honour the memory of the late Former President Jerry John Rawlings instead of re-naming University of Development Studies (UDS) after him.

Speaking in an interview on Jomoro New Day FM Morning Show on Thursday, Mr Gunu slammed president Nana Akufo for exhibiting "hypocrisy and betrayal" in his last farewell tribute to the fallen founder of the National Democratic Congress, former President Jerry John Rawlings.

"According to him [Rawlings] when he was alive and we know, that he was against naming monument after him but Nana Addo claims he has spoken to his family,  It's not the only betrayal it was hypocrisy" the secretary stated.

The Volta Regional Secretary catalogued the ordeals the former President had to go through in the hands of the then Minister for Foreign Affairs, Nana Akufo Addo under former president John Agyekum Kufour led administration from 2000 to 2008.

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He emphasised that its hypocrisy on the part of President Nana Akufo to hail the Late president Jerry John Rawlings after his demise when under his watch passed the Public Holidays (Amendment) Law, which abolishes the celebration of June 4 as a public holiday.

"If Nana Addo claims to love Rawlings, he should restore the June 4 and the 31 December celebration as a National holiday and remembrance of president Rawlings because they cancelled the June 4 and 31 December as holidays."

According to him, Rawlings once said: "he wants to be remembered in the heart of the people, the masses" hence declaring June 4 as a National holiday and that he believes will serve the purpose.

He told that Julius Malema, leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) of South Africa, would remind President Nana Addo at the funeral that "he cancelled all benefits due Rawlings as a former head of state, that he pushed Rawlings before the National Reconciliation Commission"

"They were the same people who demonised Rawlings and took him to court that he was not a Ghanaian" Mr Gunu recounted

In his conclusion, he revealed that the Volta Regional NDC Party will team up with the AnloTraditional Council and the Eve Tradition to hold a separate funeral rite for former President Jerry John Rawlings.