Ghana lost one of its prominent leaders on November 12, 2020. Jerry John Rawlings was a worthy leader. With his radical policies which catapulted Ghana into a budding country, J. J Rawlings will forever live in the hearts of his people.
The value of a leader is known by the way the people embrace him and Rawlings was undoubtedly a man of the people.
Consequently, the character of a leader speaks even after his departure. For J.J Rawlings, he lived well. His impact is undeniable as the history of Ghana is incomplete without the mention of the name of this great leader. His distaste for corruption is laudable.
Who is J.J Rawlings?
Rawlings was born in Accra on 22 June, 1947 to Victoria Agbotui and James Ramsey John, a Scottish chemist.
Rawlings was commissioned as a Pilot Officer after he graduated from military school in January 1969. He won the coveted “Speed Bird Trophy” as the best cadet in flying the Su-7 ground attack supersonic jet aircraft. This was as a result of the skills he possessed in aerobatics. And in April 1978, he earned the rank of Flight Lieutenant
A coup d’état in 1979 led to the emergence of Rawlings into the corridors of power in Ghana as a flight lieutenant of the Ghana Air Force.
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Also, he is notable for leading a military junta until 1992. Interestingly, he became the first President of Ghana in the fourth republic from January 7, 1993 to January 7, 2001.
Recognition & awards
In November 2000, Rawlings was named the first International Year of Volunteers 2001 Eminent Person by UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan. This was due to his attendance of various events and conferences to promote volunteerism. In October 2010, Rawlings became the African Union envoy to Somalia.
In October 2013, Rawlings received an honorary degree (Doctorate of Letters) from the University for Development Studies in northern Ghana. This award was in recognition of his contribution to the establishment of the University.
In 1993 he used his US$50,000 Hunger Project cash prize as seed money to sponsor the establishment of the state-owned university (founded in May 1992), the first of its kind in the three northern regions.
In October 2013, he got the Global Champion for People’s Freedom award by the Mkiva Humanitarian Foundation.
Tributes to the revered leader
Ovation Magazine publisher, Dele Momodu has paid tribute to the former leader. According to Momodu, J.J Rawlings was his personal inspiration.
Also, the Ghanaian Football Association honoured their late former president by dedicating their victory to him.
Rawlings reportedly died at Korlebu Teaching Hospital, Accra at the age of 73. He was married to Nana Konadu Agyeman, and they had four children – son Kimathi and daughters Zanetor, Yaa Asantewaa and Amina.
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