Ghana: Former President Jerry John Rawlings

Dead Aged 73

November 12, 2020

Former President Jerry John Rawlings dead after a brief illness - Rawlings died aged 73: GhanaWeb can confirm. The former President of Ghana passed away, November 12, 2020.

According to state-owned Daily Graphic, the former President had been on admission at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital for about a week for an undisclosed ailment. He was 73. Mr. Rawlings recently lost and buried his mother last month.

Jerry John Rawlings was born in Accra on June 22, 1947, to a Ghanaian mother from Dzelukope, near Keta, in the Volta Region, and a Scottish father.

Rawlings Background

Jerry John Rawlings was born in Accra on June 22, 1947, to a Ghanaian mother from Dzelukope, near Keta, in the Volta Region, and a Scottish father. Educate at Achimota School, where he obtained his General Certificate of Education 'O' Level in 1966.

He enlisted as a Flight Cadet in the Ghana Air Force in August 1967 and subsequently selected for officer cadet training at the Ghana Military Academy and Training School, Teshie, in Accra.

In March 1968, he was posted to Takoradi in the Western Region to continue his course.

He graduated in January 1969 as a commissioned Pilot Officer. He won the coveted "Speed Bird Trophy" as the best cadet in flying and airmanship.

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Jerry John Rawlings: Political Life

He earned the rank of Flight-Lieutenant in April 1978. He was an efficient officer with a close rapport with his men.

During his service with the Ghana Air Force, he witnessed the deterioration of discipline and morale, reflecting the corruption of the regime of the Supreme Military Council (SMC) at that time.

As promotion brought him into contact with the privileged-class, and their social values, his awareness of the injustices in society takes shape.

He regarded with unease by the SMC. He read widely and discussed social and political ideas with a growing circle of like-minded friends and colleagues.

May 28, 1979: Flt.-Lt. Rawlings, together with six others, appeared before a General Court Martial in Accra, charged with leading a mutiny of junior officers and men of the Ghana Armed Forces on May 15, 1979. There was a strong public reaction, especially after his statement had been read in court, explaining the social injustices that had prompted him to act.

The ranks of the Armed Forces, in particular, expressed deep sympathy with his stated aims. Flight-Lt, Rawlings, sprung from custody when scheduled for another court appearance on June 4, 1979. With the support of both military and civilians, he led a revolt, which decisively ousted the Supreme Military Council from office and brought the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC) into being.

The AFRC, under the chairmanship of Flt. Lt. Rawlings carried out a "house-cleaning exercise" aimed at purging the Armed Forces and society at large of corruption and graft as well as restoring a sense of moral responsibility and the principles of accountability and probity in public life.

Meanwhile, following the program already set in motion before the June 4th uprising for civilian administration and general elections were held.

On September 24, 1979, the AFRC handed over to the civilian Government of the People's National Party (PNP) under President Hilla Limann.

On 31st. December 1981 Flt. Lt. Rawlings led a section of the Armed Forces to overthrow the PNP administration. A Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC), composed of both civilian and military members, was established, with Flt-Lt. J.J. Rawlings as the Chairman.

His interests include reading, building model aircraft, horse-riding, and swimming. He is married to Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings with whom he has four children - three girls and a boy.

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Former President of Ghana: Jerry John Rawlings

Flt-Lt. Rawlings ceased to be a member of the Ghana Armed Forces effective September 14, 1992. He formed the National Democratic Congress, which contested and won the 1992 Presidential and Parliamentary elections. He and the party again won the 1996 elections. His term of office ended in the year 2000.

He is the joint recipient of the 1993 World Hunger Prize. He holds an Honorary Doctor of Law Degree from Medgar Evers College, City University of New York, and Lincoln University Doctorate Degree for Diplomacy and Development.