EX-Ghanaian President Rawlings dies of coronavirus

Former Ghanaian President Jerry Rawlings has died on Thursday at the age of 73.

Reports from Ghanaian media said he died of coronavirus-related complications.

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The former leader had last month buried his mother who died at the age of 101.

Rawlings as an army lieutenant in 1979 overthrew then military ruler General Frederick Akuffo.

Rawlings ruled as chairman of a joint military-civilian government from 1981 to 1993.

He was in 1992 elected president and served two terms before handing over power to John Kufour in 2001.

Meanwhile, Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari has described Rawlings’ death as a great loss to Africa.

Buhari, in a condolence message to government and people of Ghana over the demise of Rawlings at 73, said the entire African continent will sorely miss the sterling qualities of the great leader.

The president, in a statement by his spokesman, Femi Adesina, said the passion, discipline and moral strength that the former Ghanaian leader employed to reposition his country over many years continue to reverberate across the continent and beyond.

Buhari noted what he called the “unique role” the former president played in strengthening political institutions in his country and Africa, stimulating the economy for sustainable growth, and vociferously championing the African cause by urging many leaders to work towards interdependency on the global stage, especially in areas of competitive advantage.

He joined family, friends and associates of the former Ghanaian leader in mourning his departure, and assured that the ideas that Rawlings postulated, particularly for development in Africa, and his sacrifices in working in various countries as an envoy for peace and democracy would always be remembered.

The president prayed that the almighty God will grant the former Ghanaian leader eternal rest, and comfort all his loved ones.

Also, Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo said he would forever be indebted to Rawlings.

Obasanjo said he had worked closely with Rawlings during the last two years of the former Ghana leader’s presidency, saying he found in him, “a reliable friend, ally and confidant.”

This was contained in a condolence letter addressed to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Ado, a copy which was made available to newsmen on Thursday in Abeokuta, Ogun State, by Obasanjo;s Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Akinyemi.

According to him, Rawlings played a key role in furthering the actualization of the objectives of the Africa Leadership Forum, ALF, a non-governmental organization founded by him (Obasanjo) in 1988 to develop leadership capacities in Africa in order to increase productivity of major actors in government, parliament, business and civil society.

Obasanjo noted that the late Ghanaian President “supported and accommodated the organisation and its staff during the period of the relocation of the organisation’s base to Ghana because (former Military Head of State, Sanni) Abacha wanted to have them destroyed just immediately after he got me arrested and imprisoned on a trumped-up charge of coup plotting in 1995.”

He said “No doubt, his generous assistance to ALF and its staff makes me forever indebted to him. I can proudly say he was a true friend and brother. His works, values, and principles have had and will continue to have a great influence and impact in Africa and beyond.”

While paying a glowing tributes, he noted that Rawlings “was passionate about peace, security and leadership issues in Africa.”

“Like many of his contemporaries too, former President Rawlings provided the much-needed leadership and direction which impacted positively on the social stability and democratic progress recorded thus far in Ghana. A quintessential patriot and courageous leader, he will be remembered for his critical role in the evolvement of modern democratic Ghana,” he added.