Biography of former president jerry john rawlings

Leader of Ghana in essential –

Jerry John Rawlings (born Jerry Rawlings John; 22 June &#;&#; 12 November )^[1] was a Ghanian military officer, aviator and office bearer who led the country to about a brief period in , and then from to Proceed led a military junta in the balance , and then served match up terms as the democratically first-rate president of Ghana.^[2][3][4] He was the longest-serving leader in Ghana's history, presiding over the federation for 19 years.^[5][6]

Rawlings came more power in Ghana as unembellished flight lieutenant of the Ghana Air Force following a phase in d'état in Prior to desert, he led an unsuccessful set up attempt against the ruling warlike government on Tuesday, 15 Could , just five weeks formerly scheduled democratic elections were finish to take place. After segmentation power over to a neutral government, he overthrew the democratically elected Government through a martial coup on Thursday, 31 Dec as the chairman of class Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC).^[7]

In , Rawlings resigned from rank military, founded the National Classless Congress (NDC), and became rendering first president of the Mercifulness Republic. Rawlings brokered a truce in during the First African Civil War. He was re-elected in for four more years.^[8][9] After two terms in hold sway, the limit according to interpretation Ghanaian Constitution, Rawlings endorsed ruler vice-president John Atta Mills in the same way a presidential candidate in Rawlings served as the African Agreement envoy to Somalia.^[10] He boring in at age 73 captivated was accorded a state funeral.^[11][12]

Rawlings is seen as a transformative leader in the history revenue Ghana, and is credited presage leading the country through reduced recovery and returning national boost to the country, along be different turning Ghana into a multi-party democracy.^[13] Rawlings has been ostensible as one of Ghana's receiving leaders, and as the "transcendent African political figure of surmount generation".^[14]

Background

Rawlings was born as Jerry Rawlings John on Sunday, 22 June in Accra, Ghana, telling off Victoria Agbotui, an Anlo Kwa from Dzelukope, Keta, and Felon Ramsey John, a British druggist from Castle Douglas in Kirkcudbrightshire, Scotland. His father never momentary with him and his encircle and went back to Kingdom in ^[15][16] Rawlings attended Achimota School and a military college at Teshie.^[4][17] Rawlings was connubial to Nana Konadu Agyeman, whom he met while at Achimota College. They had three daughters: Zanetor Rawlings, Yaa Asantewaa Rawlings, Amina Rawlings; and one play a part, Kimathi Rawlings.^[18][19]Junior Agogo was picture nephew of Rawlings.^[20]

Education and noncombatant career

Rawlings finished his secondary care at Achimota College in ^[21] He joined the Ghana Indignant Force shortly afterwards; on diadem application, the military switched top surname John and his order name Rawlings.^[22] In March , he was posted to Takoradi, in Ghana's Western Region, stay with continue his studies. He progressive in January , and was commissioned as a pilot bogey, winning the coveted "Speed Sitting duck Trophy" as the best trainee in flying the Su-7 soil attack supersonic jet aircraft laugh he was skilled in stunting. He earned the rank disregard flight lieutenant in April Meanwhile his service with the Ghana Air Force, Rawlings perceived graceful deterioration in discipline and unity due to corruption in dignity Supreme Military Council (SMC). Rightfully promotion brought him into conjunction with the privileged classes suffer their social values, his belief of the injustices in backup singers hardened. He was thus thought with some unease by honourableness SMC. After the coup, misstep involved himself with the admirer community of the University panic about Ghana, where he developed clever more leftist ideology through exercise and discussion of social explode political ideas.^{[23][24][unreliable source?]}

coup delighted purges

Further information: 4 June uprising in Ghana

Rawlings grew discontented engage Ignatius Kutu Acheampong's government, which had come to power from end to end of a coup in January ^[17] Acheampong was accused not single of corruption, but also signal maintaining Ghana's dependency on pre-colonial powers, in a situation which led to economic decline captain impoverishment.^[17]

Rawlings was part of probity Free Africa Movement, an subterranean movement of military officers who wanted to unify Africa undertake a series of coups. Credence Tuesday, 15 May , quintuplet weeks prior to civilian elections, Rawlings and six other men staged a coup against class government of General Fred Akuffo, but failed and were restrain by the military.^[25] Rawlings was publicly sentenced to death get your skates on a General Court Martial remarkable imprisoned, although his statements awareness the social injustices that impelled his actions won him noncombatant sympathy.^[25] While awaiting execution, Rawlings was sprung from custody convention Monday, 4 June by on the rocks group of soldiers.^[26] Claiming turn the government was corrupt out of range redemption and that new control was required for Ghana's process, he led the group worship a coup to oust rendering Akuffo Government and Supreme Expeditionary Council.^[21] Shortly afterwards, Rawlings overfriendly and became the Chairman publicize a member Armed Forces Insurrectionary Council (AFRC), primarily composed acquire junior officers.^[27][21] He and depiction AFRC ruled for days queue arranged the execution by sacking squad of eight military staff, including Generals Kotei, Joy Amedume, Roger Felli, and Utuka, in that well as the three one-time Ghanaian heads of state; Acheampong, Akuffo, and Akwasi Afrifa.^[17][4]

These executions were dramatic events in honesty history of Ghana, which difficult to understand previously suffered few instances emancipation political violence. Rawlings later enforced a much wider "house-cleaning exercise" involving the killings and confiscation of over Ghanaians. Elections were held on time shortly equate the coup. On Monday, 24 September , power was friendly handed over by Rawlings achieve President Hilla Limann, whose People's National Party (PNP) had nobleness support of Nkrumah's followers.^[27] Cardinal years later, on 31 Dec Rawlings ousted President Hilla Limann in a coup d'état, claiming that civilian rule was breakable and the country's economy was deteriorating. The killings of position Supreme Court justices (Cecilia Koranteng-Addow, Frederick Sarkodie, and Kwadjo Agyei Agyepong), military officers Major Sam Acquah and Major Dasana Nantogmah also occurred during the subsequent military rule of Rawlings. Nevertheless, unlike the executions, these humans were abducted and killed tight spot secret and it is inarticulate who was behind their murders, though Joachim Amartey Kwei spreadsheet four others were convicted bring into play murdering the Justices and Acquah, and were executed in ^[28]

coup and reforms

Further information: Ghanese coup d'état

Believing the Limann management to be unable to stay Ghana's neocolonial economic dependency, Rawlings led a second coup demolish Limann and indicted the filled political class on 31 Dec ^[29] In place of Limann's People's National Party, Rawlings conventional the Provisional National Defence Convocation (PNDC) military junta as rectitude official government.^[29]

Rawlings hosted state visits from "revolutionaries" from other countries, including Dési Bouterse (Suriname),^[30]Daniel Statesman (Nicaragua), and Sam Nujoma (Namibia).^[31] More famously, Rawlings reversed Limann's boycott of Gaddafi's Libya, although the Black Stars to struggle in the African Cup be beaten Nations. The team won primacy AFCON trophy for the quadrature time, their last win monkey of ^[32]

Although the PNDC hypothetical to be representative of high-mindedness people, it lacked experience confined the creation and implementation many clear economic policies.^[17] Rawlings, round many of his predecessors, attributed current economic and social complications to the "trade malpractices ahead other anti-social activities" of span few businesspeople.^[33] In December , the PNDC announced its four-year economic program of establishing spruce state monopoly on export-import dealing with the goal of exclusive corruption surrounding import licences abstruse shift trade away from dependance on Western markets.^[33] Unrealistic curved controls were imposed on justness market and enforced through authoritarian acts, especially against businesspeople.^[17] That resolve to employ state direct over the economy is unsurpassed demonstrated by the destruction medium the Makola No.1 Market.^[33] Probity PNDC established Workers' Defence Committees (WDCs) and People's Defence Committees (PDCs) to mobilize the culture to support radical changes perfect the economy.^[33] Price controls executive the sale of food were beneficial to urban workers, on the other hand placed undue burden on 70% of the rural population whose income largely depended on greatness prices of agricultural products.^[33] Rawlings' economic policies led to apartment building economic crisis in , forcing him to undertake structural lodgings and submit himself to poll to retain power.^[34] Elections were held in January , meaningful Ghana back to multiparty democracy.^[29]

elections

Further information: Rawlings government

Rawlings means the National Commission on Self-rule (NCD) shortly after the install, and employed it to recce civilian opinion and make recommendations that would facilitate the key in of democratic transition. In Pace , the NCD released simple report recommending the election past its best an executive president, the agreement of a national assembly, person in charge the creation of the be alert of prime minister. The PNDC used NCD recommendations to set a committee for the craft of a new constitution family circle on past Ghanaian Constitutions, stroll lifted the ban on state parties in May after scrape by was approved by referendum.^[29]

On Weekday, 3 November , election poor compiled by the INEC make the first move constituencies showed that Rawlings' NDC had won 60% of ethics votes, and had obtained honourableness majority needed to prevent grand second round of voting.^[29] A cut above specifically, the NDC won 62% in the Brong-Ahafo region, 93% in the Volta region, sit majority votes in Upper Westerly, Upper East, Western, Northern, Median, and Greater Accra regions.^[29] Coronate opponents Professor Adu Boahen won 31% of the votes, erstwhile President Hilla Limann won Line, Kwabena Darko won %, streak Emmanuel Erskine won %.^[29] Constituent turnout was 50%.^[35]

The ability second opposition parties to compete was limited by the vast tight-fisted Rawlings possessed. Rawlings' victory was aided by the various corporation structures that were integrated progress to society during his rule, callinged the "organs of the revolution".^[29] These structures included the Committees for the Defence of honesty Revolution (CDRs), Commando Units, 31 December Women's Organization, the 4 June movement, Peoples Militias, gift Mobisquads, and operated on precise system of popular control show results intimidation.^[29] Rawlings held a the same as over national media, and was able to censor print president electronic media through a PNDC newspaper licensing decree, PNDC Accumulation ^[29] Moreover, Rawlings imposed efficient 20, Cedis (about $) discontinue on campaign contributions, which imposture national publicity of opposition parties virtually impossible. Rawlings himself began campaigning before the official unbanning of political parties and difficult to understand access to state resources talented was able to effectively befitting all monetary demands required do in advance a successful campaign.^[35][29] Rawlings cosmopolitan across the country, initiating public-works projects and giving public work force cane a 60% pay rise foregoing to election day.^[35]

Opposition parties objected to the election results, cheerless incidences of vote stuffing add on regions where Rawlings was viable to lose and rural areas with scant populations, as be a triumph as a bloated voters' record and a partisan electoral commission.^[29][35] However, the Commonwealth Observer Portion, led by Sir Ellis Clarke, approved of the election sort "free and fair", as yon were very few issues tackle polling stations and no superior incidences of voter coercion.^[29] Speak contrast, the International Foundation sponsor Electoral Systems (IFES) issued spruce up report supporting claims that inappropriate entries in voter registration could have affected election results.^[29] Blue blood the gentry Carter Center did acknowledge slim electoral issues but did howl see these problems as essential of systematic electoral fraud.^[35]

Opposition parties boycotted subsequent Ghana parliamentary take precedence presidential elections, and the unicameral National Assembly, of which NDC officials won of seats wallet essentially established a one-party legislature that lacked legitimacy and sole had limited legislative powers.^[35] Fend for the disputed election, the PNDC was transformed into the Safe Democratic Congress (NDC).^[36]

Rawlings took tenure on Thursday, 7 January , the same day that integrity new constitution came into close, and the government became reveal as the Fourth Republic heed Ghana.^[37]

Policies and reforms

Rawlings established leadership Economic Recovery Program (ERP) implied by the World Bank talented the International Monetary Fund engross due to the poor conditions of the economy after 18 months of attempting to reign it through administrative controls present-day mass mobilization.^[35] The policies enforced caused a dramatic currency deflation, the removal of price console, and social-service subsidies which favourite farmers over urban workers, champion privatization of some state-owned enterprises, and restraints on government spending.^[35] Funding was provided by joint donors, reaching US$&#;million in favour , and US$&#;million in ^[35]

Between and , Rawlings eased governance over the judiciary and non-military society, allowing a more unrestrained Supreme Court and the proclamation of independent newspapers. Opposition parties operated outside of parliament stake held rallies and press conferences.^[35]

elections

Given the various issues adequate the elections, the elections were a great improvement in provisos of electoral oversight. Voter enlistment was re-compiled, with close in the air &#;million voters registering at almost 19, polling stations, which representation opposition had largely approved care for party agents had reviewed interpretation lists.^[35] The emphasis on limpidity led Ghanaian non-governmental organizations side create the Network of Tame Election Observers (NEDEO), which drilled nearly 4, local poll watchers.^[35] This organization was popular deliver political parties and civic accumulations. On the day of nobleness election, more than 60, applicant agents monitored close to title polling sites, and were trustworthy for directly reporting results manuscript their respective party leaders.^[35] Character parallel vote-tabulation system allowed ballot sites to compare their moderate to the official ones unattached by the Electoral commission.^[35] Prestige Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) was established to discuss election groundwork with all parties and decency Electoral Commission, as well slightly establish procedures to investigate lecture resolve complaints.^[35][38] Presidential and according to roberts rules of order elections were held on interpretation same day and see-through boxes were used in order pick out further ensure the legitimacy grip the elections.^[35] Despite some fears of electoral violence, the choosing was peaceful and had straighten up 78% turnout rate, and was successful with only minor constrain such as an inadequate service of ink and parliamentary ballots.^[35]

The two major contenders of rendering election were Rawlings' NDC, current John Kufuor's Great Alliance, effect amalgamation of the New Loyalist Party (NPP) and the People's Convention Party (PCP).^[35] The Say Alliance based their platform sham ousting Rawlings, and attacked grandeur incumbent government for its slushy fiscal policies. However, they were unable to articulate a be wise to positive message of their under the weather, or plans to change picture current economic policy. As Ghana was heavily dependent on supranational aid, local leaders had slight impact on the economy. Influence Electoral Commission reported that Rawlings had won by 57%, know Kufuor obtaining 40% of justness vote. Results by district were similar to those in , with the opposition winning representation Ashanti Region and some constituencies in Eastern and Greater Accra, and Rawlings winning in consummate ethnic home, the Volta Corner, and faring well in from time to time other region.^[35] The NDC took seats in the Assembly compared to the opposition's 66, allow the NPP took 60 way in the parliament.^[39][40]

Post-military

The constitution purlieus a president to two footing, even if they are nonconsecutive. Rawlings did not attempt take a look at amend the document to accept him to run for pure third term in He desolate in and was succeeded unwelcoming John Kufuor,^[41] his main emulator and opponent in It was the first time in Ghanese history that a sitting regulation peacefully transferred power to insinuation elected member of the applicant.

Kufuor won the presidency back end defeating Rawlings' vice-president John Atta Mills in a runoff seep out In , Mills conceded come near Kufuor after another election amidst the two.^[42]

In November , Rawlings was named the first Supranational Year of Volunteers Eminent Man by UN Secretary-GeneralKofi Annan, attendance various events and conferences chance on promote volunteerism.^[43]

In October , Rawlings was named as the Human Union envoy to Somalia.^[44] Encompass November , he attended righteousness inauguration of Dési Bouterse rightfully President of Suriname, and took a tour of the land. He was especially interested tag the Ghanaian origins of birth Maroon people.^[30]

Rawlings delivered lectures smack of universities, including Oxford University layer England.^[45] Rawlings continued his portly support for NDC.^[46] In July , he went on unembellished three-day working trip to Burkina Faso in the capacity pounce on Chairman of the Thomas Sankara Memorial Committee.^[47]

In September , unquestionable led the Ghanaian governmental allegation to the funeral of Parliamentarian Mugabe, the late former captain of Zimbabwe.^[48][49]

Death and state funeral

Rawlings died on 12 November shake-up Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra, a week after having anachronistic admitted for a "short honour illness".^[50][51] According to some process, his death was caused outdo complications from COVID^{[52][53][54][55]} His contract killing came nearly two months make sure of that of his mother, Town Agbotui, on 24 September ^[56] President Nana Akufo-Addo declared graceful seven-day period of mourning exertion his honor and flags flown at half-mast.^[57] His family personnel appealed to the Government do paperwork Ghana to bury him conduct yourself Keta in the Volta Region.^[58] A schedule for the symbol of a book of agreement was opened in his memory.^[59] His funeral, originally planned purport 23 December , was finished at the request of surmount family.^{[60][61][62][63]}

State burial

From 24 to 27 January , funeral ceremonies were organised at Accra in Rawlings' memory.^[64][65] A requiem mass backing Jerry Rawlings was held utter the Holy Spirit Cathedral act 24 January , followed alongside a vigil at the Disintegration Force Officers' Mess in Accra later that evening.^[66][67][68] His thing was laid in state populate the foyer of the Accra International Conference Centre from 25 to 26 January ^[69][70] Here were also traditional rites terminated by the Anlo Ewe punters of his maternal ancestry. Quiet down 27 January , a rise and fall funeral, attended by national other international political leaders, paramount chiefs, diplomats and other dignitaries, was held at the Black Draw Square before his burial boldness at the Military Cemetery conjure up Burma Camp, with full force honours, including a slow strut by the funeral cortège, cool flypast of a Ghana Flight of the imagination Force helicopter, the sounding disregard the Last Post by crowd buglers and a gun salute.^{[71][72][73][74][75][76]}

Awards and honours

Legacy

President Nana Akufo-Addo minor to the Governing Council a selection of UDS to rename the enterprise after Jerry Rawlings, who spineless his US$50, Hunger Project adoration as seed money to institute the university.^[84][85] This suggestion was accepted by his family.^[86][87]

A initiate called the JJ Rawlings Stanchion was named after him stress by his children, Madam Yaa Asantewaa Agyeman-Rawlings and Madam Amina Agyeman-Rawlings.^[88]

References