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His role in the establishment and development of the Fourth Republic as the most enduring. Republic of our history is truly exceptional. Ghanaians appreciate his leadership in our nation and will remember him accordingly. “
“For me, I really appreciate your friendship. Commander, may it go well and rest in peace in the bosom of the Almighty ”. These were the words that President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo wrote with his green fountain pen in the Book of Condolences inaugurated at the Accra International Conference Center in memory of the former president, Flight Lieutenant Jerry John Rawlings.
President Akufo-Addo signed the condolence book after leading a high-powered government delegation to the former president’s Ridge residence to sympathize with the family.
The government delegation included Vice President Dr. Bawumia and his wife, Ms. Samira Bawumia; the Chief of Staff, Ms. Akosua Frema Osei Opare; Ghana’s Ambassador to China Edward Boateng, National Security Adviser Major General Emmanuel Okyere, and New Patriotic Party (PNP) National Chairman Freddie Blay.
An atmosphere of pain hung around the residence with most of the people dressed in black, with the exception of security personnel wearing their uniforms.
Security was tight and the rule of social distancing was strictly observed.
Even though they were all wearing a face mask, it was very easy to see how sad they were. Others who could not contain their emotions shed tears.
Comfort
In words of comfort to members of his family, including the widow, Ms. Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings, President Akufo-Addo said that, like the other 30 million Ghanaians, the delegation members were surprised to learn of the passing of former President Rawlings.
He said it was difficult to understand because the late president was full of energy and a vital human being “but this is God’s choice.”
President Akufo-Addo said that because of his stature and contribution to the development and history of the country, his departure should be the responsibility of the state.
He added that it was along these lines that the President (he) had the responsibility for the formal announcement of his death to the nation.
President Akufo-Addo reiterated that any arrangement for the farewell would be done by the state because his contribution to the country was huge and diverse, and the nation must show its true appreciation for his work and production here in Ghana.
Praise
Speaking on behalf of the family, the late president’s daughter, Dr. Zanetor Agyeman Rawlings, commended President Akufo-Addo for the support and immense honor that has already been done in memory of the late president.
He said the family appreciated the way the president had so far ensured that the former president received a state burial for which he had extended many protocols and courtesies to the family to ensure that we “honor his memory.”
Background
Former President Rawlings, the nation’s longest-serving head of state, died at Korle Bu University Hospital last Thursday at age 73, the family announced.
In the late afternoon, President Akufo-Addo ordered all flags to fly at half mast for seven days, while the nation mourns the later former president.
The family followed up with a visit to the government headquarters, Jubilee House, in the evening to formally convey the news of the disappearance of the former government military and civilian leader who enlisted in the Ghana Air Force in August 1967 and retired. September 14. , 1992, to the President.
Yesterday’s visit to the former leader’s residence to sympathize with his widow and family was reciprocal and underscored the president’s indication the night before that no resources would be spared to give former President Rawlings a proper farewell.
President Kufuor
In another development, former President John Agyekum Kufuor declared that history would give former President Jerry John Rawlings a “balanced place in our nation.”
In a statement, he said, he and his wife were deeply saddened by the passing of Mr. Rawlings.
“President Rawlings was the longest-serving Head of State since our nation’s independence in 1957, and while it wasn’t always that way, he and I agreed on many matters of state, I felt like he was trying to do the right thing. better than he knew and could in his peculiar circumstances, ”said Mr. Kufuor.
The statement recalled that when the time came to resign as president on January 7, 2001, he forced it.
He said that Mr. Rawlings tried to contain the reservations he had about him (Kufuor) and the government that succeeded him within the limits of the 1992 Constitution.
“In this sense, any doubt about his commitment to democratic government was attenuated and it earned him a legacy of contributing to the support of the democratic governance of our country until his disappearance,” he said.
Former President Kufuor expressed his condolences to Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings, the children and the family in general.
Background
The late Jerry John Rawlings was born in Accra on June 22, 1947 to a Scottish father and a Ghanaian mother, Mrs. Victoria Agbotui, from Dzelukope, near Keta, in the Volta region.
He completed his secondary education at the Achimota School, where he obtained his General Education Certificate Level ‘O’ in 1966.
He enlisted in the Ghana Air Force as a Flight Cadet and was subsequently selected for officer cadet training at the Ghana Academy and Military Training School, Teshie, in Accra.
In March 1968, he was posted to Takoradi in the Western Region to continue his course.
In January 1969, he passed out as a commissioned pilot officer, winning the “Speed Bird Trophy” as the best cadet in flight and air conduction.
He obtained the rank of Flight Lieutenant in April 1978.
His rise to that rank gave him the opportunity to witness what was described as the deterioration of discipline and moral values.
With that exposure, he had grudges with the ‘corruption’ of the Supreme Military Council (SMC) regime at the time.
On May 15, 1979, he led a mutiny of junior officers and GAF men in a failed coup.
On May 28, 1979, Flt Lt Rawlings, along with six other people, appeared before a General Court Martial in Accra, accused of leading the aborted military intervention.
When he was scheduled for another court appearance on June 4, 1979, he was released from custody by some loyal men in uniform.
He later led a revolt, with the help of the military and some civilians, to expel the SMC from office and created the Revolutionary Council of the Armed Forces (AFRC).
As chair of the AFRC, Flt Lt Rawlings conducted what was called a “house cleaning exercise” aimed at purging the military and society of corruption and bribery.
The exercise also aimed to restore the sense of moral responsibility and the principles of responsibility and probity in public life.
On September 24, 1979, the AFRC handed power over to the civilian government of the National People’s Party (PNP), headed by Dr. Hilla Limann, who was elected president in general elections.
However, on December 31, 1981, former President Rawlings, unhappy with the turn of events, again led a section of the armed forces to overthrow the PNP administration.
The PNDC, composed of civilian and military members, was established with Flt Lt Rawlings as chair.
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