The death has been announced of the former President of Ghana, Sir Jerry John Rawlings. He died at 73 years. He was reported to have died of coronavirus-related complications. The development comes less than a month after he buried his mother.
The death has been announced of the former President of Ghana, Sir Jerry John Rawlings. He died at 73 years. He was reported to have died of coronavirus-related complications. The development comes less than a month after he buried his mother.
Former President Jerry Rawlings, who was one of the most respected African leaders, was a military leader in Ghana and later became a politician who ruled the country from 1981 to 2001.
The former President initially came to power in Ghana as a Flight Lieutenant of the Ghana Air Force following a coup d’état in 1979.
Prior to that, he led an unsuccessful coup attempt against the ruling military government on 15 May 1979, just five weeks before scheduled democratic elections were due to take place.
He was until his death, the African Union envoy to Somalia.
He was reported through his Twitter handle to have congratulated the newly elected president of the United States of America, Joe Biden over his success in the election.
He died in hospital in the capital, Accra, after a short illness.
A week of national mourning has been announced in Ghana for the man who was regarded as the champion of the poor. He is regarded as one of the founding fathers of modern Ghana with his initiation of the transition to multiparty elections in what is now one of Africa’s most stable democracies.
John Mahama, presidential candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), founded by Rawlings, has announced that he is suspending campaigning for next month’s elections.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian President, Muhammadu Buhari, has commiserated with the people of Ghana over the death of their past leader.
In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, the President said Africa would miss J.J. Rawlings for his sterling qualities.
According to the statement from the presidency titled, President Buhari Mourns Jerry Rawlings, “President Muhammadu Buhari sends heartfelt condolences to government and people of Ghana over passing of the country’s former President, Jerry Rawlings, 73, affirming that the entire African continent will sorely miss the sterling qualities of the great leader.
“President Buhari believes the passion, discipline and moral strength that the former Ghanaian leader employed to reposition his country over many years continue to reverberate across the continent and beyond.
“The President notes, with commendation, the unique role the former President played in strengthening political institutions in his country and Africa, stimulating the economy for sustainable growth, and vociferously championing the African cause by urging many leaders to work towards interdependency on the global stage, especially in areas of competitive advantage.
“President Buhari joins family, friends and associates of the former Ghanaian leader in mourning his departure, assuring that the ideas that Rawlings postulated, particularly for development in Africa, and his sacrifices in working in various countries as an envoy for peace and democracy will always be remembered.
“The President prays that the almighty God will grant the Ghanaian leader eternal rest, and comfort all his loved ones.”
May his soul rest in peace.
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