Former Ghanaian President Jerry Rawlings has bowed out at the age of 73. Rawlings, who seized power twice in military coups but went on to bring democratic rule to the West African country, died on Thursday at the Korle-bu Teaching Hospital. He overthrew then-ruler General Frederick Akuffo in 1979 when he was an army lieutenant.
The then Flight Lieutenant handed over power to civilian rule soon after, but then led another coup two years later, decrying the government’s corruption and weak leadership. From 1981 to 1993, Rawlings ruled as chairman of a joint military-civilian government. In 1992 he was elected president under a new constitution, taking up that office the following year and serving two terms before handing over power to John Kufuor who succeeded him in 2001.
Rawlings was a charismatic figure who railed against corruption and was responsible for executing several former heads of state for their alleged graft and mismanagement of public trust. Though he was seen as a champion of the poor, he came to be criticised for alleged human rights abuses.
A week of national mourning has been announced in Ghana.
Meanwhile, the flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Mahama has suspended his campaign following the death of former President Jerry John Rawlings. The former President who was on a six-day campaign tour of the Ashanti Region said he is suspending his tour with immediate effect.
By Ophaniel Gooding