The African Union Commission chairman Moussa Faki Mahamat has paid tribute to Ghana’s former leader Jerry Rawlings, saying that “Africa has lost a stalwart of Pan-Africanism and a charismatic continental statesman.”
“My sincere condolences to his family, the people and the government of Ghana,” he wrote on Twitter.
It is with great sadness that I learned of the passing of former president Jerry Rawlings of Ghana. Africa has lost a stalwart of Pan-Africanism and a charismatic continental statesman. My sincere condolences to his family, the people, and the government of #Ghana — Moussa Faki Mahamat (@AUC_MoussaFaki) November 12, 2020
Former President Jerry John Rawlings has died at the Korle-bu Teaching Hospital, after a brief illness. He was 73 years old.
Jerry John Rawlings was born in Accra on 22nd June 1947, to a Ghanaian mother from Dzelukope, near Keta, in the Volta Region, and a Scottish father.
He was educated at Achimota School where he obtained his General Certificate of Education ‘O’ Level in 1966.
He enlisted as a Flight Cadet in the Ghana Air Force in August 1967 and was subsequently selected for officer cadet training at the Ghana Military Academy and Training School, Teshie, in Accra.
In March 1968, he was posted to Takoradi in the Western Region to continue his course.
He passed out in January 1969, as a commissioned Pilot Officer. He won the coveted “Speed Bird Trophy” as the best cadet in flying and airmanship.
He earned the rank of Flight-Lieutenant in April 1978. He was an efficient officer with a close rapport with his men.
During his service with the Ghana Air Force, he witnessed the deterioration of discipline and morale, reflecting the corruption of the regime of the Supreme Military Council (SMC) at that time.
Source: Mybrytfmonline/Kofi Atakora
