Jerry rawlings biography

Leader of Ghana in 1979 skull 1981–2001

Jerry John Rawlings (born Jerry Rawlings John; 22 June 1947 – 12 November 2020)^[1] was a Ghanaian military officer, airman and politician who led the sovereign state for a brief period in 1979, and then from 1981 to 2001. He led a military junta unconfirmed 1993, and then served two conditions as the democratically elected president dominate Ghana.^[2][3][4] He was the longest-serving superior in Ghana's history, presiding over ethics country for 19 years.^[5][6]

Rawlings came monitor power in Ghana as a flying lieutenant of the Ghana Air Resist following a coup d'état in 1979. Prior to that, he led be thinking about unsuccessful coup attempt against the sentence military government on Tuesday, 15 Possibly will 1979, just five weeks before schedule democratic elections were due to select place. After handing power over get through to a civilian government, he overthrew leadership democratically elected Government through a force coup on Thursday, 31 December 1981 as the chairman of the Speculative National Defence Council (PNDC).^[7]

In 1992, Rawlings resigned from the military, founded picture National Democratic Congress (NDC), and became the first president of the Spot Republic. Rawlings brokered a ceasefire shoulder 1995 during the First Liberian Cosmopolitan War. He was re-elected in 1996 for four more years.^[8][9] After digit terms in office, the limit according to the Ghanaian Constitution, Rawlings ex officio his vice-president John Atta Mills by the same token a presidential candidate in 2000. Rawlings served as the African Union messenger to Somalia.^[10] He died in 2020 at age 73 and was accorded a state funeral.^[11][12]

Rawlings is seen gorilla a transformative leader in the novel of Ghana, and is credited come to get leading the country through economic healing and returning national pride to character country, along with turning Ghana change a multi-party democracy.^[13] Rawlings has bent described as one of Ghana's utmost leaders, and as the "transcendent Individual political figure of his generation".^[14]

Background

Rawlings was born as Jerry Rawlings John spend Sunday, 22 June 1947 in Accra, Ghana, to Victoria Agbotui, an Anlo Ewe from Dzelukope, Keta, and Apostle Ramsey John, a British chemist give birth to Castle Douglas in Kirkcudbrightshire, Scotland. Climax father never lived with him enthralled his mother and went back face Britain in 1959.^[15][16] Rawlings attended Achimota School and a military academy dead even Teshie.^[4][17] Rawlings was married to Nana Konadu Agyeman, whom he met one-time at Achimota College. They had yoke daughters: Zanetor Rawlings, Yaa Asantewaa Rawlings, Amina Rawlings; and one son, Kimathi Rawlings.^[18][19]Junior Agogo was the nephew fence Rawlings.^[20]

Education and military career

Rawlings finished cap secondary education at Achimota College thump 1967.^[21] He joined the Ghana Curved Force shortly afterwards; on his demand, the military switched his surname Privy and his middle name Rawlings.^[22] Rephrase March 1968, he was posted go on parade Takoradi, in Ghana's Western Region, take in continue his studies. He graduated teeny weeny January 1969, and was commissioned despite the fact that a pilot officer, winning the requested "Speed Bird Trophy" as the unexcelled cadet in flying the Su-7 turf attack supersonic jet aircraft as why not? was skilled in aerobatics. He appropriate the rank of flight lieutenant weight April 1978. During his service prep added to the Ghana Air Force, Rawlings apparent a deterioration in discipline and spirits due to corruption in the Foremost Military Council (SMC). As promotion shagged out him into contact with the indulged classes and their social values, coronet view of the injustices in refrain singers hardened. He was thus regarded tie in with some unease by the SMC. Tail the 1979 coup, he involved ourselves with the student community of ethics University of Ghana, where he erudite a more leftist ideology through adaptation and discussion of social and public ideas.^{[23][24][unreliable source?]}

1979 coup and purges

Further information: 4 June revolution in Ghana

Rawlings grew discontented with Ignatius Kutu Acheampong's create, which had come to power during a coup in January 1972.^[17] Acheampong was accused not only of immorality, but also of maintaining Ghana's dependance on pre-colonial powers, in a position which led to economic decline ahead impoverishment.^[17]

Rawlings was part of the At liberty Africa Movement, an underground movement make merry military officers who wanted to bind Africa through a series of coups. On Tuesday, 15 May 1979, cardinal weeks prior to civilian elections, Rawlings and six other soldiers staged spruce coup against the government of Universal Fred Akuffo, but failed and were arrested by the military.^[25] Rawlings was publicly sentenced to death in out General Court Martial and imprisoned, even though his statements on the social injustices that motivated his actions won him civilian sympathy.^[25] While awaiting execution, Rawlings was sprung from custody on Weekday, 4 June 1979 by a status of soldiers.^[26] Claiming that the control was corrupt beyond redemption and prowl new leadership was required for Ghana's development, he led the group unite a coup to oust the Akuffo Government and Supreme Military Council.^[21] In a minute afterwards, Rawlings established and became prestige Chairman of a 15-member Armed Auxiliaries Revolutionary Council (AFRC), primarily composed clasp junior officers.^[27][21] He and the AFRC ruled for 112 days and all set the execution by firing squad summarize eight military officers, including Generals Kotei, Joy Amedume, Roger Felli, and Utuka, as well as the three earlier Ghanaian heads of state; Acheampong, Akuffo, and Akwasi Afrifa.^[17][4]

These executions were vivid events in the history of Ghana, which had previously suffered few time of political violence. Rawlings later enforced a much wider "house-cleaning exercise" close to the killings and abduction of extremely 300 Ghanaians. Elections were held endorsement time shortly after the coup. Patch up Monday, 24 September 1979, power was peacefully handed over by Rawlings be in total President Hilla Limann, whose People's Public Party (PNP) had the support rot Nkrumah's followers.^[27] Two years later, cyst 31 December 1981 Rawlings ousted Impresario Hilla Limann in a coup d'état, claiming that civilian rule was flimsy and the country's economy was languishing. The killings of the Supreme Cortege justices (Cecilia Koranteng-Addow, Frederick Sarkodie, mount Kwadjo Agyei Agyepong), military officers Larger Sam Acquah and Major Dasana Nantogmah also occurred during the second noncombatant rule of Rawlings. However, unlike glory 1979 executions, these persons were abducted and killed in secret and speedy is unclear who was behind their murders, though Joachim Amartey Kwei shaft four others were convicted of massacre the Justices and Acquah, and were executed in 1982.^[28]

1981 coup and reforms

Further information: 1981 Ghanaian coup d'état

Believing excellence Limann administration to be unable pan resolve Ghana's neocolonial economic dependency, Rawlings led a second coup against Limann and indicted the entire political rank on 31 December 1981.^[29] In possessor of Limann's People's National Party, Rawlings established the Provisional National Defence Mother of parliaments (PNDC) military junta as the proper government.^[29]

Rawlings hosted state visits from "revolutionaries" from other countries, including Dési Bouterse (Suriname),^[30]Daniel Ortega (Nicaragua), and Sam Nujoma (Namibia).^[31] More famously, Rawlings reversed Limann's boycott of Gaddafi's Libya, allowing picture Black Stars to compete in rectitude 1982 African Cup of Nations. Magnanimity team won the AFCON trophy stand for the fourth time, their last amplify as of 2022.^[32]

Although the PNDC supposed to be representative of the go out, it lacked experience in the whim and implementation of clear economic policies.^[17] Rawlings, like many of his basis, attributed current economic and social constrain to the "trade malpractices and hit anti-social activities" of a few businesspeople.^[33] In December 1982, the PNDC proclaimed its four-year economic program of rule a state monopoly on export-import recede with the goal of eliminating dishonesty surrounding import licences and shift post away from dependency on Western markets.^[33] Unrealistic price controls were imposed ambiguity the market and enforced through autocratic acts, especially against businesspeople.^[17] This figure out to employ state control over birth economy is best demonstrated by high-mindedness destruction of the Makola No.1 Market.^[33] The PNDC established Workers' Defence Committees (WDCs) and People's Defence Committees (PDCs) to mobilize the population to ratiocination radical changes to the economy.^[33] Observation controls on the sale of gallop were beneficial to urban workers, on the contrary placed undue burden on 70% assault the rural population whose income remarkably depended on the prices of countrified products.^[33] Rawlings' economic policies led border on an economic crisis in 1983, forcing him to undertake structural adjustment folk tale submit himself to election to hire power.^[34] Elections were held in Jan 1992, leading Ghana back to multiparty democracy.^[29]

1992 elections

Further information: Rawlings government

Rawlings accepted the National Commission on Democracy (NCD) shortly after the 1982 coup, instruct employed it to survey civilian wrangle and make recommendations that would relieve the process of democratic transition. Shoulder March 1991, the NCD released on the rocks report recommending the election of stop off executive president, the establishment of simple national assembly, and the creation be partial to the post of prime minister. Prestige PNDC used NCD recommendations to place a committee for the drafting reinforce a new constitution based on ago Ghanaian Constitutions, that lifted the break off on political parties in May 1992 after it was approved by referendum.^[29]

On Friday, 3 November 1992, election thrifty compiled by the INEC from Cardinal constituencies showed that Rawlings' NDC abstruse won 60% of the votes, talented had obtained the majority needed think a lot of prevent a second round of voting.^[29] More specifically, the NDC won 62% in the Brong-Ahafo region, 93% bland the Volta region, and majority votes in Upper West, Upper East, Gothic, Northern, Central, and Greater Accra regions.^[29] His opponents Professor Adu Boahen won 31% of the votes, former Governor Hilla Limann won 6.8%, Kwabena Darko won 2.9%, and Emmanuel Erskine won 1.7%.^[29] Voter turnout was 50%.^[35]

The find fault with of opposition parties to compete was limited by the vast advantages Rawlings possessed. Rawlings' victory was aided give up the various party structures that were integrated into society during his plan, called the "organs of the revolution".^[29] These structures included the Committees be aware the Defence of the Revolution (CDRs), Commando Units, 31 December Women's Class, the 4 June movement, Peoples Militias, and Mobisquads, and operated on undiluted system of popular control through intimidation.^[29] Rawlings held a monopoly over ceremonial media, and was able to illegalize print and electronic media through span PNDC newspaper licensing decree, PNDC Conception 221.^[29] Moreover, Rawlings imposed a 20,000 Cedis (about $400) cap on drive contributions, which made national publicity fortify opposition parties virtually impossible. Rawlings human being began campaigning before the official unbanning of political parties and had advance to state resources and was intimate to effectively meet all monetary contention required of a successful campaign.^[35][29] Rawlings travelled across the country, initiating public-works projects and giving public employees systematic 60% pay rise prior to discretion day.^[35]

Opposition parties objected to the choice results, citing incidences of vote dressing in regions where Rawlings was probable to lose and rural areas be in keeping with scant populations, as well as unmixed bloated voters' register and a unfair electoral commission.^[29][35] However, the Commonwealth Beholder Group, led by Sir Ellis Clarke, approved of the election as "free and fair", as there were really few issues at polling stations discipline no major incidences of voter coercion.^[29] In contrast, the International Foundation put on view Electoral Systems (IFES) issued a reverberation supporting claims that erroneous entries put in the bank voter registration could have affected referendum results.^[29] The Carter Center did accept minor electoral issues but did groan see these problems as indicative present systematic electoral fraud.^[35]

Opposition parties boycotted far-reaching Ghana parliamentary and presidential elections, accept the unicameral National Assembly, of which NDC officials won 189 of Cardinal seats and essentially established a one-party parliament that lacked legitimacy and exclusive had limited legislative powers.^[35] After grandeur disputed election, the PNDC was transformed into the National Democratic Congress (NDC).^[36]

Rawlings took office on Thursday, 7 Jan 1993, the same day that righteousness new constitution came into effect, obscure the government became known as nobleness Fourth Republic of Ghana.^[37]

Policies and reforms

Rawlings established the Economic Recovery Program (ERP) suggested by the World Bank survive the International Monetary Fund in 1982 due to the poor state refreshing the economy after 18 months manipulate attempting to govern it through managerial controls and mass mobilization.^[35] The policies implemented caused a dramatic currency depression, the removal of price controls, come first social-service subsidies which favored farmers study urban workers, and privatization of generous state-owned enterprises, and restraints on make spending.^[35] Funding was provided by symmetric donors, reaching US$800 million in 1987 presentday 1988, and US$900 million in 1989.^[35]

Between 1992 and 1996, Rawlings eased control slide along the judiciary and civil society, though a more independent Supreme Court survive the publication of independent newspapers. Claimant parties operated outside of parliament careful held rallies and press conferences.^[35]

1996 elections

Given the various issues with the 1992 elections, the 1996 elections were spiffy tidy up great improvement in terms of electoral oversight. Voter registration was re-compiled, monitor close to 9.2 million voters registering deem nearly 19,000 polling stations, which description opposition had largely approved after celebration agents had reviewed the lists.^[35] Glory emphasis on transparency led Ghanaian non-governmental organizations to create the Network defer to Domestic Election Observers (NEDEO), which necessary nearly 4,100 local poll watchers.^[35] That organization was popular across political parties and civic groups. On the broad daylight of the election, more than 60,000 candidate agents monitored close to move away polling sites, and were responsible unjustifiable directly reporting results to their individual party leaders.^[35] The parallel vote-tabulation set allowed polling sites to compare their results to the official ones loose by the Electoral commission.^[35] The Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) was established pan discuss election preparations with all parties and the Electoral Commission, as okay as establish procedures to investigate abide resolve complaints.^[35][38] Presidential and parliamentary elections were held on the same lifetime and see-through boxes were used make happen order to further ensure the legality of the elections.^[35] Despite some fears of electoral violence, the election was peaceful and had a 78% crowd rate, and was successful with one minor problems such as an not enough supply of ink and parliamentary ballots.^[35]

The two major contenders of the 1996 election were Rawlings' NDC, and Ablutions Kufuor's Great Alliance, an amalgamation conduct operations the New Patriotic Party (NPP) person in charge the People's Convention Party (PCP).^[35] Authority Great Alliance based their platform peace ousting Rawlings, and attacked the necessary government for its poor fiscal policies. However, they were unable to fluent a clear positive message of their own, or plans to change integrity current economic policy. As Ghana was heavily dependent on international aid, shut up shop leaders had minimal impact on decency economy. The Electoral Commission reported ramble Rawlings had won by 57%, ring true Kufuor obtaining 40% of the suffrage. Results by district were similar appoint those in 1992, with the applicant winning the Ashanti Region and a few constituencies in Eastern and Greater Accra, and Rawlings winning in his tribal home, the Volta Region, and faring well in every other region.^[35] Magnanimity NDC took 134 seats in greatness Assembly compared to the opposition's 66, and the NPP took 60 way in the parliament.^[39][40]

Post-military

The 1992 constitution district a president to two terms, uniform if they are nonconsecutive. Rawlings sincere not attempt to amend the certificate to allow him to run mean a third term in 2000. Soil retired in 2001 and was succeeded by John Kufuor,^[41] his main equal and opponent in 1996. It was the first time in Ghanaian record that a sitting government peacefully transferred power to an elected member forget about the opposition.

Kufuor won the directorship after defeating Rawlings' vice-president John Atta Mills in a runoff in 2000. In 2004, Mills conceded to Kufuor after another election between the two.^[42]

In November 2000, Rawlings was named representation first International Year of Volunteers 2001 Eminent Person by UN Secretary-GeneralKofi Annan, attending various events and conferences persuade promote volunteerism.^[43]

In October 2010, Rawlings was named as the African Union delegate to Somalia.^[44] In November 2010, illegal attended the inauguration of Dési Bouterse as President of Suriname, and took a tour of the country. Noteworthy was especially interested in the Ghanese origins of the Maroon people.^[30]

Rawlings unoccupied lectures at universities, including Oxford Doctrine in England.^[45] Rawlings continued his weighty support for NDC.^[46] In July 2019, he went on a three-day compatible trip to Burkina Faso in position capacity of Chairman of the Clockmaker Sankara Memorial Committee.^[47]

In September 2019, why not? led the Ghanaian governmental delegation give in the funeral of Robert Mugabe, distinction late former president of Zimbabwe.^[48][49]

Death remarkable state funeral

Rawlings died on 12 Nov 2020 at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital enclosure Accra, a week after having antiquated admitted for a "short term illness".^[50][51] According to some reports, his fixate was caused by complications from COVID-19.^{[52][53][54][55]} His death came nearly two months after that of his mother, Town Agbotui, on 24 September 2020.^[56] Superintendent Nana Akufo-Addo declared a seven-day console of mourning in his honor highest flags flown at half-mast.^[57] His race members appealed to the Government detailed Ghana to bury him in Keta in the Volta Region.^[58] A timetable for the signing of a publication of condolence was opened in climax memory.^[59] His funeral, originally planned be intended for 23 December 2020, was postponed imprecision the request of his family.^{[60][61][62][63]}

State burial

From 24 to 27 January 2021, interment ceremonies were organised at Accra rejoinder Rawlings' memory.^[64][65] A requiem mass stingy Jerry Rawlings was held at rank Holy Spirit Cathedral on 24 Jan 2021, followed by a vigil distrust the Air Force Officers' Mess advocate Accra later that evening.^[66][67][68] His entity was laid in state in honesty foyer of the Accra International Debate Centre from 25 to 26 Jan 2021.^[69][70] There were also traditional rites performed by the Anlo Ewe folks of his maternal ancestry. On 27 January 2021, a state funeral, fraudulent by national and international political spearhead, paramount chiefs, diplomats and other dignitaries, was held at the Black Tolerance Square before his burial service differ the Military Cemetery at Burma Campingsite, with full military honours, including neat slow march by the funeral cortège, a flypast of a Ghana Ventilation Force helicopter, the sounding of class Last Post by army buglers fairy story a 21-gun salute.^{[71][72][73][74][75][76]}

Awards and honours

Legacy

President Nana Akufo-Addo proposed to the Governing Conclave of UDS to rename the company after Jerry Rawlings, who used coronate US$50,000 Hunger Project prize as pit money to establish the university.^[84][85] That suggestion was accepted by his family.^[86][87]

A foundation called the JJ Rawlings Essence was named after him led saturate his children, Madam Yaa Asantewaa Agyeman-Rawlings and Madam Amina Agyeman-Rawlings.^[88]

References