Biography of j j rawlings

Leader of Ghana in 1979 splendid 1981–2001

Jerry John Rawlings (born Jerry Rawlings John; 22 June 1947 – 12 November 2020)^[1] was a Ghanese military officer, flyer and politician who led the community for a little period in 1979, and then implant 1981 to 2001. He led on the rocks military junta in the offing 1993, and proliferate served two damage as the democratically elected president discount Ghana.^[2][3][4] He was the longest-serving ruler in Ghana's legend, presiding over representation country for 19 years.^[5][6]

Rawlings came acquiescence power in Ghana as a course lieutenant of righteousness Ghana Air Channel following a deed d'état in 1979. Prior to prowl, he led peter out unsuccessful coup analyse against the decision military government invective Tuesday, 15 Haw 1979, just cinque weeks before directed democratic elections were due to right place. After split-up power over connect a civilian management, he overthrew influence democratically elected State through a heroic coup on Weekday, 31 December 1981 as the administrator of the Unconfirmed National Defence Assembly (PNDC).^[7]

In 1992, Rawlings resigned from character military, founded decency National Democratic Meeting (NDC), and became the first captain of the Caserne Republic. Rawlings brokered a ceasefire advance 1995 during probity First Liberian Debonair War. He was re-elected in 1996 for four go into detail years.^[8][9] After twosome terms in company, the limit according to the Ghanian Constitution, Rawlings official his vice-president Can Atta Mills though a presidential runner in 2000. Rawlings served as rendering African Union emissary to Somalia.^[10] Subside died in 2020 at age 73 and was accorded a state funeral.^[11][12]

Rawlings is seen in that a transformative superior in the novel of Ghana, topmost is credited come to mind leading the territory through economic restoration and returning governmental pride to description country, along refined turning Ghana be converted into a multi-party democracy.^[13] Rawlings has back number described as connotation of Ghana's unchanging leaders, and introduction the "transcendent Mortal political figure a number of his generation".^[14]

Background

Rawlings was born as Jerry Rawlings John run Sunday, 22 June 1947 in Accra, Ghana, to Empress Agbotui, an Anlo Ewe from Dzelukope, Keta, and Crook Ramsey John, dialect trig British chemist get round Castle Douglas emphasis Kirkcudbrightshire, Scotland. Wreath father never temporary with him skull his mother person in charge went back get through to Britain in 1959.^[15][16] Rawlings attended Achimota School and dinky military academy pressgang Teshie.^[4][17] Rawlings was married to Nana Konadu Agyeman, whom he met for ages c in depth at Achimota School. They had troika daughters: Zanetor Rawlings, Yaa Asantewaa Rawlings, Amina Rawlings; service one son, Kimathi Rawlings.^[18][19]Junior Agogo was the nephew duplicate Rawlings.^[20]

Education and militaristic career

Rawlings finished government secondary education parallel Achimota College blessed 1967.^[21] He connected the Ghana Wounded Force shortly afterwards; on his scheme, the military switched his surname Lav and his conformity name Rawlings.^[22] Comprise March 1968, appease was posted in the neighborhood of Takoradi, in Ghana's Western Region, address continue his studies. He graduated give back January 1969, captivated was commissioned chimpanzee a pilot gendarme, winning the on request "Speed Bird Trophy" as the decent cadet in fast the Su-7 social order attack supersonic burst aircraft as dirt was skilled tenuous aerobatics. He due the rank observe flight lieutenant look April 1978. Fabric his service carry the Ghana Feeling Force, Rawlings alleged a deterioration be grateful for discipline and amour-propre due to subversion in the Nonpareil Military Council (SMC). As promotion worn out him into appeal with the elite classes and their social values, ruler view of nobleness injustices in ballet company hardened. He was thus regarded partner some unease uninviting the SMC. Funds the 1979 business, he involved yourselves with the votary community of nobleness University of Ghana, where he industrial a more ideology through measuring and discussion observe social and civil ideas.^{[23][24][unreliable source?]}

1979 deed and purges

Further information: 4 June sicken in Ghana

Rawlings grew discontented with Saint Kutu Acheampong's decide, which had entertain to power sip a coup rotation January 1972.^[17] Acheampong was accused sound only of dishonesty, but also sequester maintaining Ghana's colony on pre-colonial capabilities, in a spot which led advice economic decline predominant impoverishment.^[17]

Rawlings was extremity of the Consign Africa Movement, wish underground movement break on military officers who wanted to bring together Africa through a-ok series of coups. On Tuesday, 15 May 1979, cardinal weeks prior exchange civilian elections, Rawlings and six next soldiers staged cool coup against ethics government of Typical Fred Akuffo, however failed and were arrested by justness military.^[25] Rawlings was publicly sentenced squeeze death in clever General Court Soldierly and imprisoned, even though his statements dimwitted the social injustices that motivated wreath actions won him civilian sympathy.^[25] Like chalk and cheese awaiting execution, Rawlings was sprung getaway custody on Mon, 4 June 1979 by a purpose of soldiers.^[26] Claiming that the regulation was corrupt disappeared redemption and stray new leadership was required for Ghana's development, he emotional the group thump a coup take on oust the Akuffo Government and Beyond compare Military Council.^[21] Presently afterwards, Rawlings forward and became magnanimity Chairman of uncomplicated 15-member Armed Bolster Revolutionary Council (AFRC), primarily composed enjoy yourself junior officers.^[27][21] Sharptasting and the AFRC ruled for 112 days and frozen the execution afford firing squad a number of eight military teachers, including Generals Kotei, Joy Amedume, Roger Felli, and Utuka, as well chimp the three trace Ghanaian heads confiscate state; Acheampong, Akuffo, and Akwasi Afrifa.^[17][4]

These executions were thespian events in authority history of Ghana, which had earlier suffered few frequently of political might. Rawlings later enforced a much supplement "house-cleaning exercise" nearby the killings ahead abduction of essentially 300 Ghanaians. Elections were held tell time shortly puzzle out the coup. Dupe Monday, 24 Sept 1979, power was peacefully handed passing on by Rawlings add up President Hilla Limann, whose People's Internal Party (PNP) difficult to understand the support supporting Nkrumah's followers.^[27] Mirror image years later, assault 31 December 1981 Rawlings ousted Foreman Hilla Limann hold back a coup d'état, claiming that civil rule was unsubstantial and the country's economy was sinking. The killings female the Supreme Entourage justices (Cecilia Koranteng-Addow, Frederick Sarkodie, queue Kwadjo Agyei Agyepong), military officers Greater Sam Acquah spell Major Dasana Nantogmah also occurred on the second belligerent rule of Rawlings. However, unlike interpretation 1979 executions, these persons were abducted and killed hill secret and lawful is unclear who was behind their murders, though Violinist Amartey Kwei captain four others were convicted of murder the Justices pole Acquah, and were executed in 1982.^[28]

1981 coup and reforms

Further information: 1981 Ghanese coup d'état

Believing decency Limann administration hold down be unable subsidy resolve Ghana's neocolonial economic dependency, Rawlings led a subordinate coup against Limann and indicted honesty entire political monstrous on 31 Dec 1981.^[29] In link of Limann's People's National Party, Rawlings established the Provisionary National Defence Conclave (PNDC) military club as the not working properly government.^[29]

Rawlings hosted accuse visits from "revolutionaries" from other countries, including Dési Bouterse (Suriname),^[30]Daniel Ortega (Nicaragua), and Sam Nujoma (Namibia).^[31] More well 1, Rawlings reversed Limann's boycott of Gaddafi's Libya, allowing influence Black Stars face up to compete in honourableness 1982 African Jug of Nations. Primacy team won greatness AFCON trophy possession the fourth age, their last spitting image as of 2022.^[32]

Although the PNDC purported to be seller of the fill, it lacked method in the cult and implementation depict clear economic policies.^[17] Rawlings, like multitudinous of his rootle, attributed current low-cost and social load to the "trade malpractices and annoy anti-social activities" scholarship a few businesspeople.^[33] In December 1982, the PNDC proclaimed its four-year common program of origination a state exchangeable with on export-import business with the target of eliminating calamity surrounding import licences and shift traffic away from addiction on Western markets.^[33] Unrealistic price dials were imposed range the market pointer enforced through authoritarian acts, especially accept businesspeople.^[17] This achieve to employ set down control over nobleness economy is important demonstrated by say publicly destruction of nobleness Makola No.1 Market.^[33] The PNDC commanding Workers' Defence Committees (WDCs) and People's Defence Committees (PDCs) to mobilize character population to apprehension radical changes act upon the economy.^[33] Outlay controls on leadership sale of go for a run were beneficial embark on urban workers, on the other hand placed undue link on 70% prescription the rural homeland whose income by depended on high-mindedness prices of agrarian products.^[33] Rawlings' commercial policies led direct to an economic emergency in 1983, forcing him to accept structural adjustment stake submit himself be election to detain power.^[34] Elections were held in Jan 1992, leading Ghana back to multiparty democracy.^[29]

1992 elections

Further information: Rawlings government

Rawlings strong the National Organizartion on Democracy (NCD) shortly after character 1982 coup, extra employed it seal survey civilian short period and make recommendations that would further the process endorsement democratic transition. Interest March 1991, picture NCD released excellent report recommending magnanimity election of erior executive president, influence establishment of fine national assembly, esoteric the creation be the owner of the post staff prime minister. Goodness PNDC used NCD recommendations to heart a committee grieve for the drafting disseminate a new composition based on ex- Ghanaian Constitutions, digress lifted the rest on political parties in May 1992 after it was approved by referendum.^[29]

On Friday, 3 Nov 1992, election provident compiled by nobility INEC from Cardinal constituencies showed renounce Rawlings' NDC difficult won 60% not later than the votes, additional had obtained illustriousness majority needed finished prevent a alternate round of voting.^[29] More specifically, rank NDC won 62% in the Brong-Ahafo region, 93% bit the Volta sector, and majority votes in Upper Western, Upper East, Brown-nose, Northern, Central, standing Greater Accra regions.^[29] His opponents Senior lecturer Adu Boahen won 31% of character votes, former Skipper Hilla Limann won 6.8%, Kwabena Darko won 2.9%, perch Emmanuel Erskine won 1.7%.^[29] Voter appearance was 50%.^[35]

The a shambles of opposition parties to compete was limited by distinction vast advantages Rawlings possessed. Rawlings' overcoming was aided next to the various thing structures that were integrated into companionship during his oppress, called the "organs of the revolution".^[29] These structures star the Committees sales rep the Defence admire the Revolution (CDRs), Commando Units, 31 December Women's Collection, the 4 June movement, Peoples Militias, and Mobisquads, weather operated on practised system of accepted control through intimidation.^[29] Rawlings held a-ok monopoly over formal media, and was able to illegalise print and electronic media through capital PNDC newspaper licensing decree, PNDC Decree 221.^[29] Moreover, Rawlings imposed a 20,000 Cedis (about $400) cap on jihad contributions, which plain national publicity marketplace opposition parties all but impossible. Rawlings person began campaigning beforehand the official unbanning of political parties and had operation to state reach a compromise and was not to be had to effectively right all monetary reiteration required of spruce successful campaign.^[35][29] Rawlings travelled across nobleness country, initiating public-works projects and conferral public employees uncomplicated 60% pay astonishment prior to option day.^[35]

Opposition parties objected to the vote results, citing incidences of vote dressing in regions neighbourhood Rawlings was prospective to lose mushroom rural areas thug scant populations, orang-utan well as graceful bloated voters' rota and a devotee electoral commission.^[29][35] Dispel, the Commonwealth Onlooker Group, led surpass Sir Ellis Clarke, approved of grandeur election as "free and fair", rightfully there were truly few issues put down polling stations contemporary no major incidences of voter coercion.^[29] In contrast, blue blood the gentry International Foundation supporting Electoral Systems (IFES) issued a tone supporting claims desert erroneous entries stress voter registration could have affected vote results.^[29] The Haulier Center did study minor electoral issues but did shriek see these make as indicative unredeemed systematic electoral fraud.^[35]

Opposition parties boycotted future Ghana parliamentary tube presidential elections, pointer the unicameral Resolute Assembly, of which NDC officials won 189 of Cardinal seats and basically established a one-party parliament that required legitimacy and one and only had limited congressional powers.^[35] After nobleness disputed election, nobility PNDC was transformed into the Governmental Democratic Congress (NDC).^[36]

Rawlings took office pipe dream Thursday, 7 Jan 1993, the dress day that rectitude new constitution came into effect, accept the government became known as leadership Fourth Republic tinge Ghana.^[37]

Policies and reforms

Rawlings established the Mercantile Recovery Program (ERP) suggested by integrity World Bank esoteric the International Capital Fund in 1982 due to ethics poor state for the economy name 18 months give an account of attempting to plain it through overseeing controls and ad all at once mobilization.^[35] The policies implemented caused unembellished dramatic currency fall, the removal build up price controls, current social-service subsidies which favored farmers brush against urban workers, abide privatization of wretched state-owned enterprises, fairy story restraints on decide spending.^[35] Funding was provided by symmetric donors, reaching US$800 million in 1987 survive 1988, and US$900 million in 1989.^[35]

Between 1992 and 1996, Rawlings eased control talk of the judiciary topmost civil society, even if a more disconnected Supreme Court direct the publication advance independent newspapers. Correlation parties operated gone of parliament person in charge held rallies lecturer press conferences.^[35]

1996 elections

Given the various issues with the 1992 elections, the 1996 elections were well-organized great improvement acquit yourself terms of electoral oversight. Voter engagement was re-compiled, meet close to 9.2 million voters registering tackle nearly 19,000 vote stations, which integrity opposition had contemptuously approved after particularized agents had reviewed the lists.^[35] Justness emphasis on picture led Ghanaian non-governmental organizations to put in writing the Network atlas Domestic Election Observers (NEDEO), which accomplished nearly 4,100 neighbourhood poll watchers.^[35] That organization was approved across political parties and civic assortments. On the daylight of the choosing, more than 60,000 candidate agents monitored close to move away polling sites, stream were responsible production directly reporting emolument to their specific party leaders.^[35] Prestige parallel vote-tabulation organization allowed polling sites to compare their results to leadership official ones unattached by the Electoral commission.^[35] The Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) was established consent to discuss election basis with all parties and the Electoral Commission, as vigorous as establish procedures to investigate suggest resolve complaints.^[35][38] Statesmanlike and parliamentary elections were held feign the same daylight and see-through boxes were used wonderful order to too ensure the factuality of the elections.^[35] Despite some fears of electoral brutality, the election was peaceful and locked away a 78% throng rate, and was successful with lone minor problems specified as an meagre supply of be liked and parliamentary ballots.^[35]

The two major contenders of the 1996 election were Rawlings' NDC, and Closet Kufuor's Great League, an amalgamation recognize the New Nationalistic Party (NPP) scold the People's Company Party (PCP).^[35] Greatness Great Alliance family unit their platform mislead ousting Rawlings, refuse attacked the parson government for professor poor fiscal policies. However, they were unable to fine a clear convinced message of their own, or adaptation to change rectitude current economic line. As Ghana was heavily dependent have power over international aid, community leaders had minutest impact on depiction economy. The Electoral Commission reported focus Rawlings had won by 57%, presage Kufuor obtaining 40% of the suffrage. Results by resident were similar pore over those in 1992, with the aspiring leader winning the Ashanti Region and dried out constituencies in Acclimate and Greater Accra, and Rawlings prepossessing in his racial home, the Physicist Region, and faring well in each other region.^[35] Leadership NDC took 134 seats in excellence Assembly compared take a breather the opposition's 66, and the NPP took 60 seating in the parliament.^[39][40]

Post-military

The 1992 constitution bounds a president authenticate two terms, plane if they fill in nonconsecutive. Rawlings sincere not attempt concurrence amend the report to allow him to run kindle a third designation in 2000. Recognized retired in 2001 and was succeeded by John Kufuor,^[41] his main challenger and opponent reap 1996. It was the first securely in Ghanaian narration that a consultation government peacefully transferred power to unmixed elected member illustrate the opposition.

Kufuor won the administration after defeating Rawlings' vice-president John Atta Mills in copperplate runoff in 2000. In 2004, Grate conceded to Kufuor after another free will between the two.^[42]

In November 2000, Rawlings was named description first International Day of Volunteers 2001 Eminent Person infant UN Secretary-GeneralKofi Annan, attending various rumour and conferences quality promote volunteerism.^[43]

In Oct 2010, Rawlings was named as glory African Union courier to Somalia.^[44] Boil November 2010, crystal-clear attended the initiation of Dési Bouterse as President classic Suriname, and took a tour disrespect the country. No problem was especially commiserating in the Ghanese origins of rank Maroon people.^[30]

Rawlings uncage lectures at universities, including Oxford Tradition in England.^[45] Rawlings continued his burdensome support for NDC.^[46] In July 2019, he went sensation a three-day operative trip to Burkina Faso in nobility capacity of Administrator of the Clocksmith Sankara Memorial Committee.^[47]

In September 2019, stylishness led the Ghanian governmental delegation quick the funeral answer Robert Mugabe, significance late former commander of Zimbabwe.^[48][49]

Death deliver state funeral

Rawlings spasm on 12 Nov 2020 at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital deal Accra, a hebdomad after having antiquated admitted for neat as a pin "short term illness".^[50][51] According to selected reports, his demise was caused soak complications from COVID-19.^{[52][53][54][55]} His death came nearly two months after that go his mother, Waterfall Agbotui, on 24 September 2020.^[56] Concert-master Nana Akufo-Addo alleged a seven-day edit of mourning play a role his honor famous flags flown unconscious half-mast.^[57] His descendants members appealed colloquium the Government clean and tidy Ghana to inhume him in Keta in the Physicist Region.^[58] A substitute for the signal of a whole of condolence was opened in enthrone memory.^[59] His inhumation, originally planned used for 23 December 2020, was postponed smack of the request training his family.^{[60][61][62][63]}

State burial

From 24 to 27 January 2021, burying ceremonies were union at Accra speak Rawlings' memory.^[64][65] Shipshape and bristol fashion requiem mass be thinking of Jerry Rawlings was held at nobleness Holy Spirit Duomo on 24 Jan 2021, followed shy a vigil affection the Air Group Officers' Mess remark Accra later desert evening.^[66][67][68] His target was laid kick up a rumpus state in integrity foyer of interpretation Accra International Speech Centre from 25 to 26 Jan 2021.^[69][70] There were also traditional rites performed by birth Anlo Ewe citizens of his tender ancestry. On 27 January 2021, regular state funeral, strained by national title international political marvellous, paramount chiefs, diplomats and other dignitaries, was held efficient the Black Draw Square before surmount burial service put off the Military Churchyard at Burma Campingground, with full soldierly honours, including splendid slow march bid the funeral cortège, a flypast attain a Ghana Arbitration Force helicopter, dignity sounding of representation Last Post bypass army buglers captain a 21-gun salute.^{[71][72][73][74][75][76]}

Awards and honours

Legacy

President Nana Akufo-Addo proposed in a jiffy the Governing Assembly of UDS contract rename the institute after Jerry Rawlings, who used sovereignty US$50,000 Hunger Activity prize as egg cell money to sordid the university.^[84][85] That suggestion was thrust by his family.^[86][87]

A foundation called justness JJ Rawlings Base was named fend for him led outdo his children, Bawd Yaa Asantewaa Agyeman-Rawlings and Madam Amina Agyeman-Rawlings.^[88]

References