Jerry Rawlings | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Rawlings in 1998 | |
| President of Ghana | |
| In office 7 January 1993 – 7 January 2001 | |
| Vice President | Kow Nkensen Arkaah (1993–1997) John Atta Mills (1997–2001) |
| Preceded by | Himself (as Chairman of the PNDC) |
| Succeeded by | John Kufuor |
| Chairman of the Provisional National Defence Council | |
| In office 31 December 1981 – 7 January 1993 | |
| Vice President | Daniel Annan |
| Preceded by | Hilla Limann (as President) |
| Succeeded by | Himself (as President) |
| Chairman of the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council | |
| In office 4 June 1979 – 24 September 1979 | |
| Vice President | Kojo Boakye-Djan |
| Preceded by | Fred Akuffo |
| Succeeded by | Hilla Limann (as President) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Jerry Rawlings John (1947-06-22)22 June 1947 Accra, then part of theColony of the Gold Coast |
| Died | 12 November 2020(2020-11-12) (aged 73) Accra, Ghana |
| Resting place | Burma Camp |
| Political party | National Democratic Congress (after 1992) |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 4, includingZanetor Agyeman-Rawlings |
| Profession | Fighter pilot |
| Awards | UDS Honorary Award |
| Military service | |
| Branch/service |  Ghana Air Force |
| Years of service | 1968–1992 |
| Rank | Flight lieutenant |
Jerry John Rawlings (22 June 1947 – 12 November 2020)[1] was aGhanaian military officer, aviator, and politician who led the country briefly in 1979 and then from 1981 to 2001. He led amilitary regime until 1993 and then served two terms as the democratically electedpresident of Ghana.[2][3][4] He was the longest-serving leader in Ghana's history, presiding over the country for 19 years.[5][6]
Rawlings came to power in Ghana as aflight lieutenant of theGhana Air Force followinga coup d'état in 1979. Before that, he led an unsuccessful coup attempt against theruling military government on Tuesday, 15 May 1979, just five weeks before scheduled democratic elections were due. After handing power over to a civilian government, he overthrew the democratically elected Government througha military coup on Thursday, 31 December 1981, as the chairman of theProvisional National Defence Council (PNDC).[7]
In 1992, Rawlings resigned from the military, founded theNational Democratic Congress (NDC), and successfully ran for president inthat year's election, becoming the first president of the Fourth Republic. Rawlings brokered aceasefire in 1995 during theFirst Liberian Civil War. He was re-elected in1996 to serve four more years.[8][9] After two terms in office, the limit according to theGhanaian Constitution, Rawlings endorsed his vice-presidentJohn Atta Mills as a presidential candidate in2000. Rawlings served as theAfrican Union envoy toSomalia.[10] He died in 2020 at age 73 and was accorded astate funeral.[11][12]
Rawlings is seen as a transformative leader in the history of Ghana, and is credited with leading the country through economic recovery and returning national pride to the country, along with turning Ghana into a multi-party democracy.[13] Rawlings has been described as one of Ghana's greatest leaders, and as the "transcendent African political figure of his generation".[14]
Rawlings was born as Jerry Rawlings John on Sunday, 22 June 1947, inAccra, Ghana, to Victoria Agbotui, anAnlo Ewe fromDzelukope,Keta, and James Ramsey John, a British chemist fromCastle Douglas in Kirkcudbrightshire, Scotland. His father, who never lived with him and his mother, went back to Britain in 1959.[15][16] Rawlings attendedAchimota School and a military academy at Teshie.[4][17] Rawlings was married toNana Konadu Agyeman, whom he met while atAchimota College. They had three daughters:Zanetor Rawlings, Yaa Asantewaa Rawlings, and Amina Rawlings, and a son, Kimathi Rawlings.[18][19]Junior Agogo was the nephew of Rawlings.[20]
Rawlings finished his secondary education atAchimota College in 1967.[21] He joined theGhana Air Force shortly afterwards. On his application, the military switched his surname John and his middle name Rawlings to John Rawlings.[22] In March 1968, he was posted toTakoradi in Ghana'sWestern Region, to continue his studies. He graduated in January 1969 and was commissioned as apilot officer, winning the coveted "Speed Bird Trophy" as the best cadet in flying theSu-7 ground attack supersonic jet aircraft as he was skilled in aerobatics. He earned the rank offlight lieutenant in April 1978. During his service with theGhana Air Force, Rawlings perceived a deterioration in discipline and morale due to corruption in theSupreme Military Council (SMC). As promotion brought him into contact with the privileged classes and their social values, his view of the injustices in society hardened. He was thus regarded with some unease by the SMC. After the 1979 coup, he involved himself with the student community of theUniversity of Ghana, where he developed a more leftist ideology through reading and discussion of social and political ideas.[23][24][unreliable source?]
Rawlings grew discontented withIgnatius Kutu Acheampong's government, which had come to power through a coup in January 1972.[17] Acheampong was accused not only of corruption but also of maintaining Ghana's dependency on pre-colonial powers, in a situation which led to economic decline and impoverishment.[17]
Rawlings was part of the Free Africa Movement, an underground movement of military officers who wanted to unify Africa through a series of coups. On Tuesday, 15 May 1979, five weeks before civilian elections, Rawlings and six other soldiers staged a coup against the government of GeneralFred Akuffo, but failed and were arrested bythe military.[25] Rawlings was publicly sentenced to death in a GeneralCourt Martial and imprisoned, although his statements on the social injustices that motivated his actions won him civilian sympathy.[25] While awaiting execution, Rawlings was sprung from custody on Monday, 4 June 1979, by a group of soldiers.[26] Claiming that the government was corrupt beyond redemption and that new leadership was required for Ghana's development, he led the group in a coup to oust the Akuffo Government and Supreme Military Council.[21] Shortly afterwards, Rawlings established and became the Chairman of a 15-memberArmed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC), primarily composed of junior officers.[27][21] He and the AFRC ruled for 112 days and arranged the execution by firing squad of eight military officers, including Generals Kotei, Joy Amedume, Roger Felli, and Utuka, as well as the three former Ghanaian heads of state: Acheampong, Akuffo, andAkwasi Afrifa.[17][4]
These executions were dramatic events in thehistory of Ghana, which had previously suffered few instances of political violence. Rawlings later implemented a much wider "house-cleaning exercise" involving the killings and abduction of over 300 Ghanaians. Elections were held on time shortly after the coup. On Monday, 24 September 1979, power was peacefully handed over by Rawlings to PresidentHilla Limann, whose People's National Party (PNP) had the support of Nkrumah's followers.[27] Two years later, on 31 December 1981, Rawlings ousted President Hilla Limann in a coup d'état, claiming that civilian rule was weak and the country's economy was deteriorating. The killings of the Supreme Court justicesCecilia Koranteng-Addow, Frederick Sarkodie, and Kwadjo Agyei Agyepong), military officers Major Sam Acquah and Major Dasana Nantogmah also occurred during the second military rule of Rawlings. However, unlike the 1979 executions, these persons were abducted and killed in secret, and it is unclear who was behind their murders, thoughJoachim Amartey Kwei and four others, namely Lance Corporal Amedeka, Michael Senyah, Tekpor Hekli and Johnny Dzandu, were convicted of murdering the Justices and Acquah and were executed in 1982 with the exception of Corporal Amedaka, who was able to escape from the country in a prison break.[28]
Believing the Limann administration was unable to resolve Ghana's neocolonial economic dependency, Rawlings led a second coup against Limann and indicted the entire political class on 31 December 1981.[29] In place of Limann'sPeople's National Party, Rawlings established theProvisional National Defence Council (PNDC) military junta as the official government.[29]
Rawlings hosted state visits from "revolutionaries" from other countries, includingDési Bouterse (Suriname),[30]Daniel Ortega (Nicaragua), andSam Nujoma (Namibia).[31] More famously, Rawlings reversed Limann's boycott ofGaddafi's Libya, allowing theBlack Stars to compete in the1982 African Cup of Nations. The team won the AFCON trophy for the fourth time, their last win as of 2022.[32]
Although thePNDC claimed to be representative of the people, it lacked experience in the creation and implementation of clear economic policies.[17] Rawlings, like many of his predecessors, attributed current economic and social problems to the "trade malpractices and other anti-social activities" of a few business people.[33] In December 1982, the PNDC announced its four-year economic program of establishing a state monopoly on export-import trade to eliminate corruption surrounding import licenses and shifting trade away from dependency on Western markets.[33] Unrealisticprice controls were imposed on the market and enforced through coercive acts, especially against business people.[17] This resolve to employ state control over the economy which is best demonstrated by the destruction of theMakola No.1 Market.[33] The PNDC established Workers' Defence Committees (WDCs) and People's Defence Committees (PDCs) to mobilize the population to support radical changes to the economy.[33] Price controls on the sale of food were beneficial to urban workers but placed undue burden on 70% of the rural population whose income largely depended on the prices of agricultural products.[33] Rawlings' economic policies led to economic crisis in 1983, forcing him to undertake structural adjustment and submit himself to an election to retain power.[34] Elections were held in January 1992, leading Ghana back to multiparty democracy.[29]
Rawlings established the National Commission on Democracy (NCD) shortly after the 1982 coup, and employed it to survey civilian opinion and make recommendations that would facilitate the process of democratic transition. In March, 1991, the NCD released a report recommending the election of an executive president, the establishment of a national assembly, and the creation of the post of prime minister. The PNDC used NCD recommendations to establish a committee for the drafting of a new constitution based on past Ghanaian Constitutions that lifted the ban on political parties in May 1992 after it was approved by referendum.[29]
On Friday, 3 November 1992, election results compiled by the INEC from 200 constituencies showed that Rawlings' NDC had won 60% of the votes and had obtained the majority needed to prevent a second round of voting.[29] More specifically, the NDC won 62% in the Brong-Ahafo region, 93% in the Volta region, and the majority votes in the Upper West, Upper East, Western, Northern, Central, and Greater Accra regions.[29] His opponents, ProfessorAdu Boahen, won 31% of the votes, former President Hilla Limann won 6.8%,Kwabena Darko won 2.9%, andEmmanuel Erskine won 1.7%.[29] Voter turnout was 50%.[35]
The ability of opposition parties to compete was limited by the vast advantages Rawlings possessed. Rawlings' victory was aided by the various party structures that were integrated into society during his rule, called the "organs of the revolution".[29] These structures included the Committees for the Defence of the Revolution (CDRs), Commando Units, 31 December Women's Organization, the 4 June movement, Peoples Militias, and Mobisquads, and operated on a system of popular control through intimidation.[29] Rawlings held a monopoly over national media and was able to censor print and electronic media through a PNDC newspaper licensing decree, PNDC Law 221.[29] Moreover, Rawlings imposed a 20,000 Cedis (about $400) cap on campaign contributions, which made national publicity of opposition parties virtually impossible. Rawlings himself began campaigning before the official unbanning of political parties and had access to state resources and was able to effectively meet all monetary demands required of a successful campaign.[35][29] Rawlings travelled across the country, initiating public-works projects and giving public employees a 60% pay rise prior to election day.[35]
Opposition parties objected to the election results, citing incidences ofvote stuffing in regions where Rawlings was likely to lose and rural areas with scant populations, as well as a bloated voters' register and a partisan electoral commission.[29][35] However, theCommonwealth Observer Group, led by SirEllis Clarke, approved of the election as "free and fair", as there were very few issues at polling stations and no major incidences of voter coercion.[29] In contrast, theInternational Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) issued a report supporting claims that erroneous entries in voter registration could have affected election results.[29] TheCarter Center did acknowledge minor electoral issues but did not see these problems as indicative of systematic electoral fraud.[35]
Opposition parties boycotted subsequent Ghana parliamentary and presidential elections, and the unicameral National Assembly, of which NDC officials won 189 of 200 seats and essentially established a one-party parliament that lacked legitimacy and only had limited legislative powers.[35] After the disputed election, the PNDC was transformed into the National Democratic Congress (NDC).[36]
Rawlings took office on Thursday, 7 January 1993, the same day that the new constitution came into effect, and the government became known as theFourth Republic of Ghana.[37]
Rawlings established the Economic Recovery Program (ERP) suggested by theWorld Bank and theInternational Monetary Fund in 1982 due to the poor state of the economy after 18 months of attempting to govern it through administrative controls and mass mobilization.[35] The policies implemented caused a dramatic currency devaluation, the removal of price controls, and social-service subsidies which favored farmers over urban workers, and privatization of some state-owned enterprises, and restraints on government spending.[35] Funding was provided by bilateral donors, reaching US$800 million in 1987 and 1988, and US$900 million in 1989.[35]
Between 1992 and 1996, Rawlings eased control over the judiciary and civil society, allowing a more independentSupreme Court and the publication of independent newspapers. Opposition parties operated outside of parliament and held rallies and press conferences.[35]
Given the various issues with the 1992 elections, the 1996 elections were a great improvement in terms of electoral oversight. Voter registration was re-compiled, with close to 9.2 million voters registering at nearly 19,000 polling stations, which the opposition had largely approved after party agents had reviewed the lists.[35] The emphasis on transparency led Ghanaian non-governmental organizations to create the Network of Domestic Election Observers (NEDEO), which trained nearly 4,100 localpoll watchers.[35] This organization was popular across political parties and civic groups. On the day of the election, more than 60,000 candidate agents monitored close to all polling sites, and were responsible for directly reporting results to their respective party leaders.[35] The parallel vote-tabulation system allowed polling sites to compare their results to the official ones released by the Electoral commission.[35] The Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) was established to discuss election preparations with all parties and the Electoral Commission, as well as establish procedures to investigate and resolve complaints.[35][38] Presidential and parliamentary elections were held on the same day and see-through boxes were used in order to further ensure the legitimacy of the elections.[35] Despite some fears of electoral violence, the election was peaceful and had a 78% turnout rate, and was successful with only minor problems such as an inadequate supply of ink and parliamentary ballots.[35]
The two major contenders of the 1996 election were Rawlings' NDC, andJohn Kufuor's Great Alliance, an amalgamation of theNew Patriotic Party (NPP) and the People's Convention Party (PCP).[35] The Great Alliance based their platform on ousting Rawlings, and attacked the incumbent government for its poor fiscal policies. However, they were unable to articulate a clear positive message of their own, or plans to change the current economic policy. As Ghana was heavily dependent on international aid, local leaders had minimal impact on the economy. TheElectoral Commission reported that Rawlings had won by 57%, with Kufuor obtaining 40% of the vote. Results by district were similar to those in 1992, with the opposition winning theAshanti Region and some constituencies in Eastern and Greater Accra, and Rawlings winning in his ethnic home, theVolta Region, and faring well in every other region.[35] The NDC took 134 seats in the Assembly compared to the opposition's 66, and the NPP took 60 seats in the parliament.[39][40]
The 1992 constitution limits a president to two terms, even if they are nonconsecutive. Rawlings did not attempt to amend the document to allow him to run for a third term in2000. He retired in 2001 and was succeeded byJohn Kufuor,[41] his main rival and opponent in 1996. It was the first time in Ghanaian history that a sitting governmentpeacefully transferred power to an elected member of the opposition.[citation needed]
Kufuor won the presidency after defeating Rawlings' vice-presidentJohn 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 the firstInternational Year of Volunteers 2001 Eminent Person byUN Secretary-GeneralKofi Annan, attending various events and conferences to promote volunteerism.[43]
In October 2010, Rawlings was named as theAfrican Union envoy toSomalia.[44] In November 2010, he attended the inauguration ofDési Bouterse asPresident of Suriname, and took a tour of the country. He was especially interested in the Ghanaian origins of theMaroon people.[30]
Rawlings delivered lectures at universities, includingOxford University in England.[45] Rawlings continued his heavy support for NDC.[46] In July 2019, he went on a three-day working trip toBurkina Faso in the capacity of Chairman of the Thomas Sankara Memorial Committee.[47]
In September 2019, he led the Ghanaian governmental delegation to the funeral ofRobert Mugabe, the late former president ofZimbabwe.[48][49]
Rawlings died on 12 November 2020 atKorle-Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra, a week after having been admitted for a "short term illness".[50][51] According to some reports, his death was caused by complications fromCOVID-19.[52][53][54][55] His death came nearly two months after that of his mother, Victoria Agbotui, on 24 September 2020.[56] PresidentNana Akufo-Addo declared a seven-day period of mourning in his honor and flags flown at half-mast.[57] His family members appealed to theGovernment of Ghana to bury him inKeta in theVolta Region.[58] A schedule for the signing of a book of condolence was opened in his memory.[59] His funeral, originally planned for 23 December 2020, was postponed at the request of his family.[60][61][62][63]
From 24 to 27 January 2021, funeral ceremonies were organised at Accra in Rawlings' memory.[64][65] Arequiem mass for Jerry John Rawlings was held at theHoly Spirit Cathedral on 24 January 2021, followed by a vigil at the Air Force Officers' Mess in Accra later that evening.[66][67][68] His body waslaid in state in the foyer of theAccra International Conference Centre from 25 to 26 January 2021.[69][70] There were also traditional rites performed by theAnlo Ewe people of his maternal ancestry. On 27 January 2021, a state funeral, attended by national and international political leaders, paramount chiefs, diplomats and other dignitaries, was held at theBlack Star Square before his burial service at theMilitary Cemetery atBurma Camp, with full military honours, including aslow march by thefuneral cortège, aflypast of aGhana Air Force helicopter, the sounding of theLast Post by army buglers and a21-gun salute.[71][72][73][74][75][76]
PresidentNana Akufo-Addo proposed to the Governing Council ofUDS to rename the institution after Jerry Rawlings, who used his US$50,000 Hunger Project prize as seed money to establish the university.[84][85] This suggestion was accepted by his family.[86][87]
A foundation called the JJ Rawlings Foundation was named after him led by his children, Madam Yaa Asantewaa Agyeman-Rawlings and Madam Amina Agyeman-Rawlings.[88]
In May 2025, the government of Burkina Faso named a street inOuagadougou after him. The signage on the road reads "Avenue Flt Lt Jerry John Rawlings, Ancien President du Ghana, ne le 22/06/1947 - dcd le 12/11/2020". The naming of the street was done on the same day a monument was unveiled in memory of his assassinated friend and former Burkinabe leader,Thomas Sankara.[89]
{{cite web}}:|last= has generic name (help)The following are physical books relevant to Jerry Rawlings, which may not be available online, but are added in case of looking for more information.
See also, Shipley, Jesse Weaver. "Alternative Histories of Global Sovereignty: Ghana's Lost Revolution"Comparative Studies of South Asia, Africa and the Middle East. Vol. 42, No. 2, 2022, pp. 532–537. DOI 10.1215/1089201X09988009.
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Head of state of Ghana 1979 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Head of state of Ghana 1981–1993 | Succeeded by Constitutional Rule |
| Preceded by Constitutional rule re-established in Ghana | President of Ghana 1993–2001 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States 1994–1996 | Succeeded by |
| Military offices | ||
| Preceded by | Chief of the Defence Staff November 1982 – August 1983 | Succeeded by |
| Party political offices | ||
| New title | National Democratic Congress presidential candidate 1992,1996 | Succeeded by |
| Queen (1957–1960) |  | |
|---|---|---|
| President of the First Republic (1960–1966) | ||
| Military regime (1966–1969) | ||
| President of the Second Republic (1969–1972) | ||
| Military regime (1972–1979) | ||
| President of the Third Republic (1979–1981) | ||
| Military regime (1981–1993) | ||
| President of the Fourth Republic (from 1993) | ||
*Acting President | ||
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Academics | |
| People | |
| Other | |
