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Condolences Pour in for Ghana's Former President Jerry Rawlings

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

President Muhammadu Buhari; Ghana's President, Nana Akufo-Addo; President of African Development Bank (AfDB), Dr. Akinwumi Adesina; former President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) were among those who condoled with the government and people of Ghana over the passage of their former President, Jerry Rawlings. Rawlings died earlier from COVID-19-related complications.

Key Takeaways:

  • Rawlings, a 73-year-old former president of Ghana, died from COVID-19-related complications after falling ill shortly after burying his mother on October 24, 2020.
  • Rawlings had an illustrious career, staging a military coup as a young revolutionary on May 15, 1979, and becoming Chairman of the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC) in 1981.
  • He resigned from the military, founded the National Democratic Congress (NDC), and became the first president of the Fourth Republic in 1992.
  • Rawlings was re-elected in 1996 for four more years and served as African Union envoy to Somalia until his death.
  • Senior officials including President Buhari, Akufo-Addo, and Adesina praised Rawlings' passion, discipline, and moral strength in repositioning Ghana and Africa, and condemned his passing.
  • The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) commiserated with the government and people of Ghana, hailing Rawlings' policies that positioned Ghana for growth and development.
  • Former President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki, also condoled with the Rawlings family and the people of Ghana, expressing his condolences to President Nana Akufo-Addo.

Statistics:

  • 73 - Age of former Ghanaian leader Jerry Rawlings at the time of his death
  • 1979 - Year Rawlings staged his first military coup
  • 1981 - Year Rawlings took control of Ghana and became Chairman of the PNDC
  • 1992 - Year Rawlings became the first president of the Fourth Republic
  • 4 - Number of years Rawlings was re-elected as president
  • 2000 - Year Rawlings endorsed his vice-president, Mr. John Atta Mills, as presidential candidate
  • 10-24-2020 - Date Jerry Rawlings buried his mother, Mrs. Victoria Agbotui

Sources:

  • Buhari, Femi Adesina, "Condolence message from President Buhari to the family and people of Ghana," ThisDay, Abuja
  • Akufo-Addo, "Statement on the passing of former President Jerry Rawlings," ThisDay, Abuja
  • Adesina, "Tweet on the passing of former President Jerry Rawlings," ThisDay, Abuja
  • PDP, "Statement on the passing of former President Jerry Rawlings," ThisDay, Abuja
  • Saraki, "Tweet on the passing of former President Jerry Rawlings," ThisDay, Abuja

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