BBC is reporting Ghana’s former president Jerry “J.J. Rawlings has died after a brief illness at a hospital in Accra. Rumors are swirling that the charasmatic leader who came to power after leading two coups and then being elected President twice, died of complications from Covid-19, although an official cause of death has not been announced.
Jerry John Rawlings was born on June 22, 1947, in Accra to James Ramsey John, a Scottish chemist, and Victoria Agbotui. He was educated at Achimota, a prestigious boarding school in the British model in Accra. He enlisted in the Air Force, where he excelled in airmanship, and reached the rank of flight lieutenant.
Although he was a Socialist during his early political career, Rawlings eventually made free market reforms, eventually becoming a founding father of democracy in Ghana. Following his presidency, Rawlings campaigned for African Nations to have their debts forgiven. Â
Several African Presidents expressed grief while announcing Rawlings death on Twitter.
Ghana’s President Nana Akufo-Addo, who is from a rival political party and currently running against Rawlings’ wife Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, announced seven days of national mourning.
“A great tree has fallen, and Ghana is poorer for this loss,” he said in a statement.
African Union Commission chairman Moussa Faki Mahamat said “Africa has lost a stalwart of Pan-Africanism and a charismatic continental statesman”.
While Liberian President George Weah said “Ghana, Liberia and Africa will miss a great leader”.
“Liberia remembers his immense contribution to the attainment and sustainment of peace during our dark days of our own history,” he added in a tweet.
