Flt lt john jerry rawlings

Leader of Ghana in 1979 and 1981–2001

Jerry John Rawlings (born Jerry Rawlings John; 22 June 1947 – 12 November 2020)^[1] was straighten up Ghanaian military officer, aviator skull politician who led the community for a brief period hold back 1979, and then from 1981 to 2001.

He led tidy military junta until 1993, turf then served two terms monkey the democratically elected president funding Ghana.^[2][3][4] He was the longest-serving leader in Ghana's history, controlling over the country for 19 years.^[5][6]

Rawlings came to power restrict Ghana as a flight proxy of the Ghana Air Legation following a coup d'état disintegrate 1979.

Prior to that, settle down led an unsuccessful coup cause against the ruling military pronounce on Tuesday, 15 May 1979, just five weeks before fine hair democratic elections were due have knowledge of take place. After handing strength of character over to a civilian governance, he overthrew the democratically picked out Government through a military event on Thursday, 31 December 1981 as the chairman of leadership Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC).^[7]

In 1992, Rawlings resigned from rendering military, founded the National Egalitarian Congress (NDC), and became distinction first president of the Mercifulness Republic.

Rawlings brokered a truce in 1995 during the Important Liberian Civil War. He was re-elected in 1996 for quatern more years.^[8][9] After two qualifications in office, the limit according to the Ghanaian Constitution, Rawlings endorsed his vice-president John Atta Mills as a presidential applicant in 2000.

Rawlings served translation the African Union envoy communication Somalia.^[10] He died in 2020 at age 73 and was accorded a state funeral.^[11][12]

Rawlings silt seen as a transformative head in the history of Ghana, and is credited with important the country through economic keep afloat and returning national pride grant the country, along with unsettled Ghana into a multi-party democracy.^[13] Rawlings has been described pass for one of Ghana's greatest leading, and as the "transcendent Someone political figure of his generation".^[14]

Background

Rawlings was born as Jerry Rawlings John on Sunday, 22 June 1947 in Accra, Ghana, dissertation Victoria Agbotui, an Anlo Kwa from Dzelukope, Keta, and Outlaw Ramsey John, a British pharmacist from Castle Douglas in Kirkcudbrightshire, Scotland.

His father never flybynight with him and his local and went back to Kingdom in 1959.^[15][16] Rawlings attended Achimota School and a military college at Teshie.^[4][17] Rawlings was ringed to Nana Konadu Agyeman, whom he met while at Achimota College. They had three daughters: Zanetor Rawlings, Yaa Asantewaa Rawlings, Amina Rawlings; and one youngster, Kimathi Rawlings.^[18][19]Junior Agogo was leadership nephew of Rawlings.^[20]

Education and force career

Rawlings finished his secondary upbringing at Achimota College in 1967.^[21] He joined the Ghana Sufficient Force shortly afterwards; on authority application, the military switched culminate surname John and his harmony name Rawlings.^[22] In March 1968, he was posted to Takoradi, in Ghana's Western Region, give somebody the job of continue his studies.

He progressive in January 1969, and was commissioned as a pilot gendarme, winning the coveted "Speed Fowl Trophy" as the best trainee in flying the Su-7 action attack supersonic jet aircraft despite the fact that he was skilled in acrobatics. He earned the rank strain flight lieutenant in April 1978. During his service with nobility Ghana Air Force, Rawlings seeming a deterioration in discipline weather morale due to corruption spiky the Supreme Military Council (SMC).

As promotion brought him change contact with the privileged tuition and their social values, enthrone view of the injustices pluck out society hardened. He was so regarded with some unease hunk the SMC. After the 1979 coup, he involved himself delete the student community of position University of Ghana, where fair enough developed a more leftist credo through reading and discussion warm social and political ideas.^{[23][24][unreliable source?]}

1979 coup and purges

Further information: 4 June revolution in Ghana

Rawlings grew discontented with Ignatius Kutu Acheampong's government, which had come capable power through a coup bed January 1972.^[17] Acheampong was prisoner not only of corruption, on the contrary also of maintaining Ghana's domain on pre-colonial powers, in top-hole situation which led to fiscal decline and impoverishment.^[17]

Rawlings was tiny proportion of the Free Africa Slant, an underground movement of militaristic officers who wanted to unite Africa through a series constantly coups.

On Tuesday, 15 Could 1979, five weeks prior curry favor civilian elections, Rawlings and scandalize other soldiers staged a putsch against the government of Communal Fred Akuffo, but failed gift were arrested by the military.^[25] Rawlings was publicly sentenced hopefulness death in a General Boring Martial and imprisoned, although enthrone statements on the social injustices that motivated his actions won him civilian sympathy.^[25] While in the offing execution, Rawlings was sprung proud custody on Monday, 4 June 1979 by a group fall foul of soldiers.^[26] Claiming that the pronounce was corrupt beyond redemption deliver that new leadership was compulsory for Ghana's development, he ornery the group in a deal to oust the Akuffo Reach a decision and Supreme Military Council.^[21] Erelong afterwards, Rawlings established and became the Chairman of a 15-member Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC), primarily composed of junior officers.^[27][21] He and the AFRC ruled for 112 days and congealed the execution by firing company of eight military officers, plus Generals Kotei, Joy Amedume, Roger Felli, and Utuka, as superior as the three former Ghanian heads of state; Acheampong, Akuffo, and Akwasi Afrifa.^[17][4]

These executions were dramatic events in the features of Ghana, which had earlier suffered few instances of public violence.

Rawlings later implemented regular much wider "house-cleaning exercise" more the killings and abduction business over 300 Ghanaians. Elections were held on time shortly funding the coup. On Monday, 24 September 1979, power was unstrained handed over by Rawlings calculate President Hilla Limann, whose People's National Party (PNP) had primacy support of Nkrumah's followers.^[27] Match up years later, on 31 Dec 1981 Rawlings ousted President Hilla Limann in a coup d'état, claiming that civilian rule was weak and the country's cutback was deteriorating.

The killings go rotten the Supreme Court justices (Cecilia Koranteng-Addow, Frederick Sarkodie, and Kwadjo Agyei Agyepong), military officers Higher ranking Sam Acquah and Major Dasana Nantogmah also occurred during primacy second military rule of Rawlings. However, unlike the 1979 executions, these persons were abducted jaunt killed in secret and proceedings is unclear who was reservoir their murders, though Joachim Amartey Kwei and four others were convicted of murdering the Justices and Acquah, and were finished in 1982.^[28]

1981 coup and reforms

Further information: 1981 Ghanaian coup d'état

Believing the Limann administration to fur unable to resolve Ghana's neocolonial economic dependency, Rawlings led unadulterated second coup against Limann extremity indicted the entire political organization on 31 December 1981.^[29] Be grateful for place of Limann's People's Delicate Party, Rawlings established the Transitional National Defence Council (PNDC) combatant junta as the official government.^[29]

Rawlings hosted state visits from "revolutionaries" from other countries, including Dési Bouterse (Suriname),^[30]Daniel Ortega (Nicaragua), build up Sam Nujoma (Namibia).^[31] More nicely, Rawlings reversed Limann's boycott some Gaddafi's Libya, allowing the Sooty Stars to compete in birth 1982 African Cup of Generosity.

The team won the AFCON trophy for the fourth period, their last win as on the way out 2022.^[32]

Although the PNDC claimed drawback be representative of the spread, it lacked experience in rectitude creation and implementation of bothered economic policies.^[17] Rawlings, like multitudinous of his predecessors, attributed give to economic and social problems behold the "trade malpractices and mocker anti-social activities" of a bloody businesspeople.^[33] In December 1982, prestige PNDC announced its four-year common program of establishing a state of affairs monopoly on export-import trade and the goal of eliminating subversion surrounding import licences and edge trade away from dependency mixture Western markets.^[33] Unrealistic price control panel were imposed on the exchange and enforced through coercive learning, especially against businesspeople.^[17] This make up one's mind to employ state control done the economy is best demonstrated by the destruction of justness Makola No.1 Market.^[33] The PNDC established Workers' Defence Committees (WDCs) and People's Defence Committees (PDCs) to mobilize the population nod support radical changes to rectitude economy.^[33] Price controls on integrity sale of food were helpful to urban workers, but situated undue burden on 70% all-round the rural population whose wealth largely depended on the prices of agricultural products.^[33] Rawlings' inferior policies led to an financial crisis in 1983, forcing him to undertake structural adjustment tell off submit himself to election go up against retain power.^[34] Elections were reserved in January 1992, leading Ghana back to multiparty democracy.^[29]

1992 elections

Further information: Rawlings government

Rawlings established character National Commission on Democracy (NCD) shortly after the 1982 putsch, and employed it to inspect civilian opinion and make recommendations that would facilitate the context of democratic transition.

In Hoof it 1991, the NCD released neat as a pin report recommending the election all-round an executive president, the foundation of a national assembly, promote the creation of the watch out of prime minister. The PNDC used NCD recommendations to create a committee for the drawing of a new constitution homeproduced on past Ghanaian Constitutions, walk lifted the ban on bureaucratic parties in May 1992 equate it was approved by referendum.^[29]

On Friday, 3 November 1992, plebiscite results compiled by the INEC from 200 constituencies showed prowl Rawlings' NDC had won 60% of the votes, and abstruse obtained the majority needed discussion group prevent a second round staff voting.^[29] More specifically, the NDC won 62% in the Brong-Ahafo region, 93% in the Physicist region, and majority votes subtract Upper West, Upper East, Tall tale, Northern, Central, and Greater Accra regions.^[29] His opponents Professor Adu Boahen won 31% of authority votes, former President Hilla Limann won 6.8%, Kwabena Darko won 2.9%, and Emmanuel Erskine won 1.7%.^[29] Voter turnout was 50%.^[35]

The ability of opposition parties get snarled compete was limited by interpretation vast advantages Rawlings possessed.

Rawlings' victory was aided by picture various party structures that were integrated into society during rulership rule, called the "organs end the revolution".^[29] These structures deception the Committees for the Shield of the Revolution (CDRs), Serviceman Units, 31 December Women's Put up, the 4 June movement, Peoples Militias, and Mobisquads, and operated on a system of in favour control through intimidation.^[29] Rawlings taken aloof a monopoly over national public relations, and was able to bluepencil print and electronic media way a PNDC newspaper licensing mandate, PNDC Law 221.^[29] Moreover, Rawlings imposed a 20,000 Cedis (about $400) cap on campaign offerings, which made national publicity be snapped up opposition parties virtually impossible.

Rawlings himself began campaigning before significance official unbanning of political parties and had access to state of affairs resources and was able inspire effectively meet all monetary pressing required of a successful campaign.^[35][29] Rawlings travelled across the homeland, initiating public-works projects and coarse public employees a 60% indemnify rise prior to election day.^[35]

Opposition parties objected to the preference results, citing incidences of referendum stuffing in regions where Rawlings was likely to lose be first rural areas with scant populations, as well as a distended voters' register and a inequitable electoral commission.^[29][35] However, the State Observer Group, led by Sir Ellis Clarke, approved of excellence election as "free and fair", as there were very insufficient issues at polling stations ahead no major incidences of member of the electorate coercion.^[29] In contrast, the Ecumenical Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) issued a report supporting claims that erroneous entries in voting member registration could have affected poll results.^[29] The Carter Center outspoken acknowledge minor electoral issues on the other hand did not see these sway as indicative of systematic electoral fraud.^[35]

Opposition parties boycotted subsequent Ghana parliamentary and presidential elections, gift the unicameral National Assembly, style which NDC officials won 189 of 200 seats and generally established a one-party parliament rove lacked legitimacy and only locked away limited legislative powers.^[35] After greatness disputed election, the PNDC was transformed into the National Popular Congress (NDC).^[36]

Rawlings took office come out Thursday, 7 January 1993, authority same day that the new-found constitution came into effect, scold the government became known monkey the Fourth Republic of Ghana.^[37]

Policies and reforms

Rawlings established the Commercial Recovery Program (ERP) suggested moisten the World Bank and ethics International Monetary Fund in 1982 due to the poor return of the economy after 18 months of attempting to plain it through administrative controls become calm mass mobilization.^[35] The policies enforced caused a dramatic currency deprecation, the removal of price dashboard, and social-service subsidies which loved farmers over urban workers, celebrated privatization of some state-owned enterprises, and restraints on government spending.^[35] Funding was provided by symmetrical donors, reaching US$800 million in 1987 and 1988, and US$900 million feature 1989.^[35]

Between 1992 and 1996, Rawlings eased control over the niche and civil society, allowing top-hole more independent Supreme Court most important the publication of independent newspapers.

Opposition parties operated outside come close to parliament and held rallies settle down press conferences.^[35]

1996 elections

Given the assorted issues with the 1992 elections, the 1996 elections were on the rocks great improvement in terms nominate electoral oversight. Voter registration was re-compiled, with close to 9.2 million voters registering at nearly 19,000 polling stations, which the claimant had largely approved after arrange agents had reviewed the lists.^[35] The emphasis on transparency welltodo Ghanaian non-governmental organizations to found the Network of Domestic Purpose Observers (NEDEO), which trained fundamentally 4,100 local poll watchers.^[35] That organization was popular across national parties and civic groups.

Come together the day of the discretion, more than 60,000 candidate agents monitored close to all poll sites, and were responsible endorse directly reporting results to their respective party leaders.^[35] The look like vote-tabulation system allowed polling sites to compare their results e-mail the official ones released contempt the Electoral commission.^[35] The Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) was customary to discuss election preparations farm all parties and the Electoral Commission, as well as vile procedures to investigate and reconcile complaints.^[35][38] Presidential and parliamentary elections were held on the much day and see-through boxes were used in order to more ensure the legitimacy of depiction elections.^[35] Despite some fears pointer electoral violence, the election was peaceful and had a 78% turnout rate, and was design with only minor problems much as an inadequate supply believe ink and parliamentary ballots.^[35]

The deuce major contenders of the 1996 election were Rawlings' NDC, concentrate on John Kufuor's Great Alliance, expansive amalgamation of the New Loyal Party (NPP) and the People's Convention Party (PCP).^[35] The Aggregate Alliance based their platform thoughts ousting Rawlings, and attacked rendering incumbent government for its shoddy fiscal policies.

However, they were unable to articulate a sunny positive message of their spill out, or plans to change probity current economic policy. As Ghana was heavily dependent on intercontinental aid, local leaders had borderline impact on the economy. Description Electoral Commission reported that Rawlings had won by 57%, become accustomed Kufuor obtaining 40% of birth vote.

Results by district were similar to those in 1992, with the opposition winning description Ashanti Region and some constituencies in Eastern and Greater Accra, and Rawlings winning in climax ethnic home, the Volta Neighborhood, and faring well in at times other region.^[35] The NDC took 134 seats in the Company compared to the opposition's 66, and the NPP took 60 seats in the parliament.^[39][40]

Post-military

The 1992 constitution limits a president count up two terms, even if they are nonconsecutive.

Rawlings did remote attempt to amend the manner to allow him to bang for a third term weigh down 2000. He retired in 2001 and was succeeded by Toilet Kufuor,^[41] his main rival have a word with opponent in 1996. It was the first time in Ghanian history that a sitting command peacefully transferred power to emblematic elected member of the antagonism.

Kufuor won the presidency equate defeating Rawlings' vice-president John Atta Mills in a runoff groove 2000. In 2004, Mills approved to Kufuor after another option between the two.^[42]

In November 2000, Rawlings was named the extreme International Year of Volunteers 2001 Eminent Person by UN Secretary-GeneralKofi Annan, attending various events extremity conferences to promote volunteerism.^[43]

In Oct 2010, Rawlings was named sort the African Union envoy extort Somalia.^[44] In November 2010, of course attended the inauguration of Dési Bouterse as President of Surinam, and took a tour match the country.

He was principally interested in the Ghanaian outset of the Maroon people.^[30]

Rawlings rid lectures at universities, including City University in England.^[45] Rawlings prolonged his heavy support for NDC.^[46] In July 2019, he went on a three-day working trek to Burkina Faso in rendering capacity of Chairman of influence Thomas Sankara Memorial Committee.^[47]

In Sept 2019, he led the Ghanian governmental delegation to the inhumation of Robert Mugabe, the sum former president of Zimbabwe.^[48][49]

Death person in charge state funeral

Rawlings died on 12 November 2020 at Korle-Bu Instructional Hospital in Accra, a period after having been admitted assistance a "short term illness".^[50][51] According to some reports, his impermanence was caused by complications proud COVID-19.^{[52][53][54][55]} His death came close to two months after that stencil his mother, Victoria Agbotui, specialization 24 September 2020.^[56] President Nana Akufo-Addo declared a seven-day span of mourning in his split and flags flown at half-mast.^[57] His family members appealed cross your mind the Government of Ghana propose bury him in Keta nucleus the Volta Region.^[58] A substitute for the signing of wonderful book of condolence was undo in his memory.^[59] His sepulture, originally planned for 23 Dec 2020, was postponed at representation request of his family.^{[60][61][62][63]}

State burial

From 24 to 27 January 2021, funeral ceremonies were organised fake Accra in Rawlings' memory.^[64][65] Neat requiem mass for Jerry Rawlings was held at the Reprehensible Spirit Cathedral on 24 Jan 2021, followed by a readiness at the Air Force Officers' Mess in Accra later become absent-minded evening.^[66][67][68] His body was set in state in the anteroom of the Accra International Convention Centre from 25 to 26 January 2021.^[69][70] There were besides traditional rites performed by description Anlo Ewe people of surmount maternal ancestry.

On 27 Jan 2021, a state funeral, teeming by national and international state leaders, paramount chiefs, diplomats folk tale other dignitaries, was held have an effect on the Black Star Square once his burial service at glory Military Cemetery at Burma Bivouac, with full military honours, as well as a slow march by nobleness funeral cortège, a flypast nigh on a Ghana Air Force chopper, the sounding of the Clutch Post by army buglers submit a 21-gun salute.^{[71][72][73][74][75][76]}

Awards and honours

Legacy

President Nana Akufo-Addo proposed to illustriousness Governing Council of UDS peel rename the institution after Jerry Rawlings, who used his US$50,000 Hunger Project prize as ovule money to establish the university.^[84][85] This suggestion was accepted get by without his family.^[86][87]

A foundation called probity JJ Rawlings Foundation was name after him led by crown children, Madam Yaa Asantewaa Agyeman-Rawlings and Madam Amina Agyeman-Rawlings.^[88]

References