By Professor Chris Imafidon – In J.J Rawlings, Africa, and indeed the world has lost a giant who led by example, a radical revolutionary who understood the relationship between rationale change and ideological dogma. The father of modern Ghana nation who laid down his life for Africa, when he had other options, such as living a luxurious life in Britain because his father was British. Rawlings died on Thursday, 12 November 2020 at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital in Ghana.
Jerry Rawlings is universally revered by the poor, and working class people of Ghana as one of country’s best presidents, and the most honest leader. In 1979, the world was forced to notice a young Flight Lieutenant of the Ghana Air Force, Jerry John Rawlings. Lt JJ Rawlings’ impatience with corruption, ineptitude and utter waste of Africa’s premier nation, Ghana reached intolerable magnitude. The Anglo-Ghana military man and some colleagues, who were all junior military officers felt that they had to risk everything for their nation. They identified with the poor and couldn’t understand why the ruling elite lived in a parallel universe.
THE POOR, THE PEOPLE AND POWER
Although the coup d’état of 15 May 1979 failed, his personal determination to rescue the nation fuelled his belief that a revolution was inevitable. So, while in jail, awaiting his capital punishment for his failed attempt to seize power and eliminate social injustice, Rawlings was miraculously freed on the 4th of June 1979 by a group of soldiers. This then led to a successful overthrow of the corrupt government which he quickly purged but was young and naive to think that they have cleaned up the political mess. So on 24th September 1979, he democratically and peacefully transferred power to President Hilla Limann, whose People’s National Party (PNP) had the support of Nkrumah’s followers. After two long years, the economy of the nation hit rock bottom again. It was so bad that ordinary citizens wondered what were the gains, of the initial change of leaders. So after twenty-four months Rawlings was compelled by circumstances to remove President Hilla Limann in a second coup d’etat on 31 December 1981. It was very clear that Limann was extremely weak and the country’s economy was deteriorating. He then carefully planned a transition to democracy but emerged as the leader of the country. He served his term and in a very rare move left power completely.
Rawlings’ “second coming” of December 1981, was widely perceived as an indictment of the entire ruling elite. Limann and his associates were seen as “a pack of criminals who bled Ghana to the bone,” Rawlings, in characteristically revolutionary tone, vowed to “organize this country in such a way that nothing will be done, whether by God or the devil, without the consent and the authority of the people”
PURGE AND THE PRESIDENCY
After purging the system, he contested and won the presidency in a landslide victory, in a highly regarded election by both the Commonwealth and the Organisation of African Unity. This led to a second win in 1996 because of Ghana’s economic stability. After completing his term in 2001, President Rawlings took a very usual step for an African leader and left from office, refusing any formal or informal appointment.
More recently, President Rawlings campaigned for debt cancellation for Africa. As a pan-Africanist, He served as the African Union envoy to Somalia.
THE PERSON
Jerry John Rawlings was originally named “Jerry Rawlings John” and was born on 22 June 1947 in Accra, Ghana, to Victoria Agbotui, an Ewe from Dzelukope, Keta; and James Ramsey John, a chemist from Kirkcudbrightshire, Scotland, UK. His father’s family now reside in England. The young Rawlings had his secondary education at Achimota School, graduating in 1967, and attended a military academy at Teshie. Rawlings was married to Nana Konadu Agyeman. They had three daughters: Zanetor Rawlings, Yaa Asantewaa Rawlings, Amina Rawlings; and one son, Kimathi Rawlings.
He then enlisted in the Ghana Air Force. However there was a mix-up on his application to the military, and they swapped his middle name RAWLINGS for his surname, JOHN. In March 1968, he continued his studies at Takoradi, in Ghana’s Western Region, and he graduated in January 1969, and was commissioned as a Pilot Officer, winning the coveted “Speed Bird Trophy” as the best cadet in flying the Su-7 ground attack supersonic jet aircraft. He earned the rank of Flight Lieutenant in April 1978.
It will be recalled that at a recent funeral for his mother who lived in excess of 100 years, it was expected that President JJ as he is fondly was expected to live another 30 years. No one expected any covid-19 related illness to cut short this giant from Africa.
Professor Chris Imafidon, is a multi-Guinness World record holder; world renowned adviser to monarchs, governments, presidents and corporate leaders; Chairman of an online [@EIEprogramme] mentoring programs for youths in Ghana & West Africa. [Twitter @ChrisImafidon; Instagram @CoImafidon; Facebook/Linkedln –Professor Chris Imafidon
with Professor Chris Imafidon
