J.J Rawlings Of Ghana Has Passed Away
Report reaching the world today is that former President Jerry John Rawlings is dead.
According to reports, former president Rawlings’ sudden death occurred early hours of today, November 12, 2020 at the Korle-Bu Teaching hospital in Accra- Ghana.
Sources that disclosed the news also stated that the former president died of suspected Covid 19 and was on admission at the Korle-Bu teaching hospital for treatment but unfortunately, he passed.
The news has gotten the country into a state of shock today. The last time Rawlings was spotted in public was in late October during the burial ceremony of his mother who died at the age of 101. He was 73 years.
Various national leaders from across the globe have joined Ghanaians and the family of the deceased to pay their last respect to the ex-president of Ghana.
President Nana Akuffo Addo has expressed his deepest condolence in a statement release to the family and the country at large.
Liberian president Gearge Weah also poured out a tribute in honour of ex-president J.J. Rawlings and Nigerian president Nigeria also shared his condolences to the bereaved family and to Ghanaians.
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Former military leader and politician Rawlings was born in June 22, 1947 in Accra, Ghana. He attended Achimota College and from there, he was enrolled in a military academy all in Accra, Ghana.
He then joined the Ghana Air Force in the late 1960s where he was transferred to the western region of Ghana to continue his education.
Following his graduation, he was assigned the position of a Pilot Officer and achieved the rank of rank of Flight Lieutenant in April 1978.
In 1979, the head of military Junta Rawlings and his military officers staged a coup on may 15, 1979 against the then incumbent government led by General Fred Akuffo five weeks prior to a democratic election but he failed and was arrested.
He then founded the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC) which comprised of 15 junior officers including him and ruled for 112 days.
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Rawlings arranged the execution of eight military officer by firing squad including Ignatius Kutu Acheampong, General Akuffo and Afrifa claiming their government was corrupt and caused the deterioration of the country’s progress.
He later handed over peacefully to president Hilla Liman who was the leader of People’s National Party (PNP) in September 1979. In December 31 1981
Rawlings overthrown Hila Liman accusing him of economic hardship and took back power as the Chairman of the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC).
Mrs. Cecilia Koranteng-Addow, Justices Frederick Poku-Sarkodie and Kwadwo Agyei Agyepong were amongst the victims arrested and brutally murdered.
Eleven years later, ex-president Rawlings resigned from the military and established the National Democratic Congress.
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Rawlings later served two presidential terms in Ghana
One thing is for sure history will forever remember J.J. Rawlings because of the part he played in Ghana’s history.
Ghanaians have divided opinion about Rawlings. Some Ghanaians see him as a hero to the family members he brutally murdered during his bloody coups the scars are a constant reminder.
Are you a Ghanaian? Who was JJ Rawlings to you a hero or villain and why? Drop your comments below
Ex-president Rawlings left behind wife, Nana Konadu Agyeman and four children, Zanetor Rawlings, Amina Rawlings, Yaa Asantewaa Rawlings and Kimathi Rawlings
