Tributes are pouring in from Ghanaians and African leaders extolling the virtues of the former Ghanaian president, Flight Lieutenant Jerry John Rawlings, who died from suspected COVID-19 complications. The ex-president died at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra, capital of Ghana, yesterday morning.
Rawlings was a military ruler, who later joined politics, governed Ghana as a soldier from 1981 to 1992 and later 1992 to 2000 as democratically elected president. Before his death, he was a supporter of former President John Mahama’s re-election plan against current President, Nana Akufo Addo, for the election slated on December 7.
His last tweet was on November 7, when he congratulated Joe Biden. He wrote: “Congratulations to President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris. The world is expectant as a new era of United States leadership dawns. We look forward to a leadership that embraces unity, compassion and maturity.”
Nigerian president, Muhammadu Buhari, sent his condolences to the government and people of Ghana, saying the entire African continent “will sorely miss the sterling qualities of the great leader.” According to him, the passion, discipline and moral strength that the former Ghanaian leader employed to reposition his country over many years will continue to reverberate across the continent and beyond.
The President also noted the unique role the Rawlings played in strengthening political institutions in his country and Africa, stimulating the economy for sustainable growth and championing the African cause by urging many leaders to work towards interdependency on the global stage, especially in areas of competitive advantage.
Buhari said the ideas Rawlings postulated, particularly for development in Africa, and his sacrifices in working in various countries as an envoy for peace and democracy would always be remembered.
Also, former President of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, condoled with the people of Ghana. In a letter to President Nana Akufo-Ado, a copy of which was made available to journalists through his Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Akinyemi, in Abeokuta, Obasanjo eulogised the late leader.
He said Rawlings “was passionate about peace, security and leadership issues in Africa.” According to Obasanjo, Rawlings will be missed for his exemplary leadership across Africa but particularly for his contribution to nation-building in Ghana where he served, first as the military Head of State of the country from 1981 to 1992 and later as a democratically-elected President from 1992-2001.
“Like many of his contemporaries too, former President Rawlings provided the much-needed leadership and direction which impacted positively on the social stability and democratic progress recorded thus far in Ghana. A quintessential patriot and courageous leader, he will be remembered for his critical role in the evolvement of modern democratic Ghana,” Obasanjo stated
Former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar, described Rawlings as an African giant. “His tenure as leader of Ghana remains emblematic with the restoration of that country. Even after office, he stood tall for African unity and renaissance,” he tweeted.
Former Nigerian Senate president, Bukola Saraki, also conveyed his condolences. He tweeted that he had extended his condolences to the President of Ghana, Nana Akufo-Addo.
Jerry Rawlings was born to a Scottish father and Ghanaian mother from Volta Region. He went to Achimota School where he secured a General Certificate of Education ‘O’ Level in 1966. After his ‘O’ Level education, he joined Ghana Air force as Flight Cadet, around August 1967 and later joined the cadet-training unit in Ghana Military Academy and Training School, Teshie, Accra as officer. In 1969, he graduated as a commissioned Pilot Officer and won the highest “Speed Bird Trophy” as best cadet in flying and airmanship. By 1978, he rose to the rank of Flight-Lieutenant.
A flight lieutenant of the Ghanaian Air Force, Rawlings first staged military coup as a young revolutionary on May 15, 1979, five weeks before scheduled elections to return the country to civilian rule. He seized power to fight against corruption and was responsible for executing several former heads of state for their alleged graft and mismanagement. He later regretted the killings under his tenure. The execution by firing squad of Supreme Court judges also left a stain on his legacy.