Ghana’s former leader Jerry Rawlings, who seized power twice in military coups but went on to bring democratic rule to the West African country, died on Thursday at the age of 73.
His death comes slightly over a month after his mother, Victoria Agbotui died at the age of 101 in September 2020.
Rawlings overthrew then-ruler General Frederick Akuffo in 1979 when he was an army lieutenant. He handed over power to civilian rule soon after but then led another coup two years later, decrying the government’s corruption and weak leadership.
Before the demise, the founder of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Jerry John Rawlings was very popular for some quotes, which motivated most people in life.
J J Rawlings was the former president of Ghana from the year 1993 to 2001. He is reported to have died of COVID -19 and left behind his wife Nana Konadu Agyeamang and four children.
Jerry John Rawlings quotes
During the reign of J J Rawlings, he was famous for some quotable quotes and sayings. Below are the top 5 Jerry John Rawlings quotes
1. “It is not the absence of military interventions that we have restored, which will bring back our democracy, development, justice, and freedom. What is needed is the ability to empower the people and integrity of leadership. Leadership should not be used to intimidate our citizens, rather it should empower them.”
2. “Nothing beats logic than a government that forces itself on its citizens. A genuine conducted electoral process should be without the harsh use of the armed forces, and without fear of intimidation. This is the best way to assure people that their will has prevailed, thus produces a cleansing effect in the society.”
3.“The most dangerous mistake of any political force is to forget its roots.”
4.“What form of government adopt as citizens to suit our peculiar circumstances, our basic tenet is our common yearning and concern for every person, for politics, whatever its color must be an avenue to serve our fellow men.”
5.“Food is a political weapon…Africa’s foremost defense is self-sufficiency in food. Until we attain a substantial measure of freedom from food dependency, we are vulnerable to manipulation by the wealthier nations.” “The test of religious belief is not in pious platitudes and cautious charity, but in positive and creative action.”
BIOGRAPHY
Jerry ‘Junior Jesus’ Rawlings died Thursday morning at the Korle-Bu University Hospital in Accra, where he had been admitted a week earlier.
President Nana Akufo-Addo and former president John Mahama have announced the temporary suspension of their election campaigns, ahead of 7 December polls.
Rawlings led Ghana from 1981 to 2001. A former lieutenant in the Ghanaian Air Force, he participated in his first military coup in May 1979. His attempt failed, and he was arrested but later released a few weeks by a group of fellow officers, launching his political career.
Born in Accra to an Ewe mother and a Scottish father, Jerry Rawlings was noticed very early on for his outspokenness and his itch for revolution. A gifted and brilliant young man, he joined the Air Force and within a few years he was promoted to the rank of flight lieutenant (the equivalent of captain in the army).
Source: globaltrendingnews