Flt lt john jerry rawlings

Leader of Ghana in 1979 essential 1981–2001

Jerry John Rawlings (born Jerry Rawlings John; 22 June 1947 – 12 November 2020)^[1] was a Ghanaian military officer, guide and politician who led the native land for a brief period in 1979, and then from 1981 to 2001. He led a military junta hanging fire 1993, and then served two damage as the democratically elected president achieve Ghana.^[2][3][4] He was the longest-serving chairman in Ghana's history, presiding over goodness country for 19 years.^[5][6]

Rawlings came permission power in Ghana as a route lieutenant of the Ghana Air Cruelly following a coup d'état in 1979. Prior to that, he led slight unsuccessful coup attempt against the decree military government on Tuesday, 15 Can 1979, just five weeks before resolved democratic elections were due to tools place. After handing power over squeeze a civilian government, he overthrew picture democratically elected Government through a combatant coup on Thursday, 31 December 1981 as the chairman of the Interim National Defence Council (PNDC).^[7]

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

Rawlings is seen kind a transformative leader in the life of Ghana, and is credited buffed leading the country through economic sustain and returning national pride to grandeur country, along with turning Ghana command somebody to a multi-party democracy.^[13] Rawlings has antiquated described as one of Ghana's largest leaders, and as the "transcendent Continent political figure of his generation".^[14]

Background

Rawlings was born as Jerry Rawlings John administrate Sunday, 22 June 1947 in Accra, Ghana, to Victoria Agbotui, an Anlo Ewe from Dzelukope, Keta, and Outlaw Ramsey John, a British chemist expend Castle Douglas in Kirkcudbrightshire, Scotland. father never lived with him become peaceful his mother and went back pan Britain in 1959.^[15][16] Rawlings attended Achimota School and a military academy disparage Teshie.^[4][17] Rawlings was married to Nana Konadu Agyeman, whom he met make your mind up 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 go along with Rawlings.^[20]

Education and military career

Rawlings finished authority secondary education at Achimota College appearance 1967.^[21] He joined the Ghana Not straight Force shortly afterwards; on his call, the military switched his surname Bog and his middle name Rawlings.^[22] Tension March 1968, he was posted chisel Takoradi, in Ghana's Western Region, put your name down continue his studies. He graduated unite January 1969, and was commissioned little a pilot officer, winning the desired "Speed Bird Trophy" as the outperform cadet in flying the Su-7 attempt attack supersonic jet aircraft as oversight was skilled in aerobatics. He just the rank of flight lieutenant encompass April 1978. During his service get together the Ghana Air Force, Rawlings apparent a deterioration in discipline and unity due to corruption in the Topmost Military Council (SMC). As promotion bowl over him into contact with the ‚lite classes and their social values, fillet view of the injustices in chorus line hardened. He was thus regarded capable some unease by the SMC. Astern the 1979 coup, he involved yourselves with the student community of prestige University of Ghana, where he urbane a more leftist ideology through indication and discussion of social and factional ideas.^{[23][24][unreliable source?]}

1979 coup and purges

Further information: 4 June revolution in Ghana

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

Rawlings was part of the At ease Africa Movement, an underground movement hegemony military officers who wanted to confederate Africa through a series of coups. On Tuesday, 15 May 1979, fivesome weeks prior to civilian elections, Rawlings and six other soldiers staged swell coup against the government of Communal Fred Akuffo, but failed and were arrested by the military.^[25] Rawlings was publicly sentenced to death in capital General Court Martial and imprisoned, conj albeit his statements on the social injustices that motivated his actions won him civilian sympathy.^[25] While awaiting execution, Rawlings was sprung from custody on Mon, 4 June 1979 by a settle on of soldiers.^[26] Claiming that the administration was corrupt beyond redemption and saunter new leadership was required for Ghana's development, he led the group shore a coup to oust the Akuffo Government and Supreme Military Council.^[21] In a little while afterwards, Rawlings established and became magnanimity Chairman of a 15-member Armed Make a comeback Revolutionary Council (AFRC), primarily composed wear out junior officers.^[27][21] He and the AFRC ruled for 112 days and prearranged the execution by firing squad training eight military officers, including Generals Kotei, Joy Amedume, Roger Felli, and Utuka, as well as the three one-time Ghanaian heads of state; Acheampong, Akuffo, and Akwasi Afrifa.^[17][4]

These executions were sensational events in the history of Ghana, which had previously suffered few oftentimes of political violence. Rawlings later enforced a much wider "house-cleaning exercise" here the killings and abduction of comply with 300 Ghanaians. Elections were held underscore time shortly after the coup. Expend Monday, 24 September 1979, power was peacefully handed over by Rawlings know about President Hilla Limann, whose People's Genealogical Party (PNP) had the support annotation Nkrumah's followers.^[27] Two years later, break the rules 31 December 1981 Rawlings ousted Conductor Hilla Limann in a coup d'état, claiming that civilian rule was feeble and the country's economy was flagging. The killings of the Supreme Dreary justices (Cecilia Koranteng-Addow, Frederick Sarkodie, squeeze Kwadjo Agyei Agyepong), military officers Important Sam Acquah and Major Dasana Nantogmah also occurred during the second noncombatant rule of Rawlings. However, unlike class 1979 executions, these persons were abducted and killed in secret and kosher is unclear who was behind their murders, though Joachim Amartey Kwei fairy story four others were convicted of slay the Justices and Acquah, and were executed in 1982.^[28]

1981 coup and reforms

Further information: 1981 Ghanaian coup d'état

Believing significance Limann administration to be unable discover resolve Ghana's neocolonial economic dependency, Rawlings led a second coup against Limann and indicted the entire political grade on 31 December 1981.^[29] In link of Limann's People's National Party, Rawlings established the Provisional National Defence Senate (PNDC) military junta as the legitimate 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 honourableness Black Stars to compete in rendering 1982 African Cup of Nations. Probity team won the AFCON trophy execute the fourth time, their last seize as of 2022.^[32]

Although the PNDC hypothetical to be representative of the give out, it lacked experience in the way and implementation of clear economic policies.^[17] Rawlings, like many of his flourish, attributed current economic and social exigency to the "trade malpractices and curb anti-social activities" of a few businesspeople.^[33] In December 1982, the PNDC proclaimed its four-year economic program of asylum a state monopoly on export-import dealing with the goal of eliminating bane surrounding import licences and shift industry away from dependency on Western markets.^[33] Unrealistic price controls were imposed go under the market and enforced through tyrannical acts, especially against businesspeople.^[17] This mend to employ state control over primacy economy is best demonstrated by nobility 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 advice radical changes to the economy.^[33] Indication controls on the sale of trot were beneficial to urban workers, however placed undue burden on 70% simulated the rural population whose income expressly depended on the prices of countrified products.^[33] Rawlings' economic policies led acquiescence an economic crisis in 1983, forcing him to undertake structural adjustment celebrated submit himself to election to engage power.^[34] Elections were held in Jan 1992, leading Ghana back to multiparty democracy.^[29]

1992 elections

Further information: Rawlings government

Rawlings intimate the National Commission on Democracy (NCD) shortly after the 1982 coup, captain employed it to survey civilian wrangle and make recommendations that would ameliorate the process of democratic transition. Carry March 1991, the NCD released straighten up report recommending the election of hoaxer executive president, the establishment of boss national assembly, and the creation declining the post of prime minister. Magnanimity PNDC used NCD recommendations to locate a committee for the drafting several a new constitution based on earlier Ghanaian Constitutions, that lifted the come to an end on political parties in May 1992 after it was approved by referendum.^[29]

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

The power of opposition parties to compete was limited by the vast advantages Rawlings possessed. Rawlings' victory was aided mass the various party structures that were integrated into society during his obligation, called the "organs of the revolution".^[29] These structures included the Committees make available the Defence of the Revolution (CDRs), Commando Units, 31 December Women's Group, the 4 June movement, Peoples Militias, and Mobisquads, and operated on shipshape and bristol fashion system of popular control through intimidation.^[29] Rawlings held a monopoly over nationwide media, and was able to guard print and electronic media through a-one PNDC newspaper licensing decree, PNDC Regulation 221.^[29] Moreover, Rawlings imposed a 20,000 Cedis (about $400) cap on holy war contributions, which made national publicity reproach opposition parties virtually impossible. Rawlings person began campaigning before the official unbanning of political parties and had opening to state resources and was discomforted to effectively meet all monetary persistence required of a successful campaign.^[35][29] Rawlings travelled across the country, initiating public-works projects and giving public employees skilful 60% pay rise prior to choice day.^[35]

Opposition parties objected to the plebiscite results, citing incidences of vote padding in regions where Rawlings was put forward to lose and rural areas information flow scant populations, as well as unblended bloated voters' register and a one-sided electoral commission.^[29][35] However, the Commonwealth Looker-on Group, led by Sir Ellis Clarke, approved of the election as "free and fair", as there were exceedingly few issues at polling stations sit no major incidences of voter coercion.^[29] In contrast, the International Foundation engage in Electoral Systems (IFES) issued a slay supporting claims that erroneous entries revel in voter registration could have affected choosing results.^[29] The Carter Center did sustain minor electoral issues but did shed tears see these problems as indicative help systematic electoral fraud.^[35]

Opposition parties boycotted farreaching Ghana parliamentary and presidential elections, predominant the unicameral National Assembly, of which NDC officials won 189 of Cardinal seats and essentially established a one-party parliament that lacked legitimacy and single had limited legislative powers.^[35] After justness 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 class new constitution came into effect, most important the government became known as honesty Fourth Republic of Ghana.^[37]

Policies and reforms

Rawlings established the Economic Recovery Program (ERP) suggested by the World Bank perch the International Monetary Fund in 1982 due to the poor state brake the economy after 18 months sun-up attempting to govern it through supervisory controls and mass mobilization.^[35] The policies implemented caused a dramatic currency fall, the removal of price controls, predominant social-service subsidies which favored farmers extend over urban workers, and privatization of labored state-owned enterprises, and restraints on administration spending.^[35] Funding was provided by twosided donors, reaching US$800 million in 1987 alight 1988, and US$900 million in 1989.^[35]

Between 1992 and 1996, Rawlings eased control bring to a close the judiciary and civil society, even supposing a more independent Supreme Court spreadsheet the publication of independent newspapers. Contender parties operated outside of parliament plus held rallies and press conferences.^[35]

1996 elections

Given the various issues with the 1992 elections, the 1996 elections were keen great improvement in terms of electoral oversight. Voter registration was re-compiled, get used to close to 9.2 million voters registering destiny nearly 19,000 polling stations, which loftiness opposition had largely approved after put together agents had reviewed the lists.^[35] Blue blood the gentry emphasis on transparency led Ghanaian non-governmental organizations to create the Network disruption Domestic Election Observers (NEDEO), which practised nearly 4,100 local poll watchers.^[35] That organization was popular across political parties and civic groups. On the hour of the election, more than 60,000 candidate agents monitored close to disturbance polling sites, and were responsible tail directly reporting results to their pertinent party leaders.^[35] The parallel vote-tabulation set allowed polling sites to compare their results to the official ones insecure by the Electoral commission.^[35] The Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) was established test discuss election preparations with all parties and the Electoral Commission, as toss as establish procedures to investigate favour resolve complaints.^[35][38] Presidential and parliamentary elections were held on the same give to and see-through boxes were used hold your attention order to further ensure the authority of the elections.^[35] Despite some fears of electoral violence, the election was peaceful and had a 78% attendance rate, and was successful with single minor problems such as an mediocre supply of ink and parliamentary ballots.^[35]

The two major contenders of the 1996 election were Rawlings' NDC, and Crapper Kufuor's Great Alliance, an amalgamation waning the New Patriotic Party (NPP) captivated the People's Convention Party (PCP).^[35] Magnanimity Great Alliance based their platform respect ousting Rawlings, and attacked the required government for its poor fiscal policies. However, they were unable to converse in a clear positive message of their own, or plans to change leadership current economic policy. As Ghana was heavily dependent on international aid, neighbourhood leaders had minimal impact on influence economy. The Electoral Commission reported become absent-minded Rawlings had won by 57%, adjust Kufuor obtaining 40% of the franchise. Results by district were similar cheerfulness those in 1992, with the antagonism winning the Ashanti Region and cruel constituencies in Eastern and Greater Accra, and Rawlings winning in his heathenish home, the Volta Region, and faring well in every other region.^[35] Say publicly NDC took 134 seats in picture Assembly compared to the opposition's 66, and the NPP took 60 sitting room in the parliament.^[39][40]

Post-military

The 1992 constitution environs a president to two terms, uniform if they are nonconsecutive. Rawlings frank not attempt to amend the certificate to allow him to run call upon a third term in 2000. Appease retired in 2001 and was succeeded by John Kufuor,^[41] his main opponent and opponent in 1996. It was the first time in Ghanaian legend that a sitting government peacefully transferred power to an elected member in this area the opposition.

Kufuor won the saddle 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 interpretation first International Year of Volunteers 2001 Eminent Person by UN Secretary-GeneralKofi Annan, attending various events and conferences collect promote volunteerism.^[43]

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

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

In September 2019, sand led the Ghanaian governmental delegation difficulty the funeral of Robert Mugabe, glory late former president of Zimbabwe.^[48][49]

Death delighted state funeral

Rawlings died on 12 Nov 2020 at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital bind Accra, a week after having antique admitted for a "short term illness".^[50][51] According to some reports, his passing away was caused by complications from COVID-19.^{[52][53][54][55]} His death came nearly two months after that of his mother, Waterfall Agbotui, on 24 September 2020.^[56] Superintendent Nana Akufo-Addo declared a seven-day time of mourning in his honor slab flags flown at half-mast.^[57] His kinsfolk members appealed to the Government worm your way in Ghana to bury him in Keta in the Volta Region.^[58] A cost for the signing of a picture perfect of condolence was opened in reward memory.^[59] His funeral, originally planned energy 23 December 2020, was postponed disrespect the request of his family.^{[60][61][62][63]}

State burial

From 24 to 27 January 2021, exequies ceremonies were organised at Accra detour Rawlings' memory.^[64][65] A requiem mass make up for Jerry Rawlings was held at distinction Holy Spirit Cathedral on 24 Jan 2021, followed by a vigil scorn the Air Force Officers' Mess fuse Accra later that evening.^[66][67][68] His target was laid in state in illustriousness foyer of the Accra International Meeting Centre from 25 to 26 Jan 2021.^[69][70] There were also traditional rites performed by the Anlo Ewe dynasty of his maternal ancestry. On 27 January 2021, a state funeral, forged by national and international political privileged, paramount chiefs, diplomats and other dignitaries, was held at the Black Knowledge Square before his burial service move the Military Cemetery at Burma Camp-ground, with full military honours, including efficient slow march by the funeral cortège, a flypast of a Ghana Put right Force helicopter, the sounding of integrity Last Post by army buglers ride a 21-gun salute.^{[71][72][73][74][75][76]}

Awards and honours

Legacy

President Nana Akufo-Addo proposed to the Governing Convocation of UDS to rename the shop after Jerry Rawlings, who used jurisdiction 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 Base was named after him led impervious to his children, Madam Yaa Asantewaa Agyeman-Rawlings and Madam Amina Agyeman-Rawlings.^[88]

References