The Flagbearer of the largest Opposition Party in Ghana, John Dramani Mahama arrived in Accra last night after suspending his six-day- campaign tour of the Ashanti Region following the death of former President Jerry John Rawlings Thursday, November 12, 2020.
Mr. Mahama will chair a meeting of the emergency Political Committee today to among other things plan together with the bereaved family and government on the way forward to honor the memory of the late President.
“Our Founder, President Jerry John Rawlings, is no more
I arrived in Accra tonight, following the suspension of my campaign in the Ashanti Region on hearing the news of the death of our party Founder and former President, Jerry John Rawlings.
I will chair an urgent meeting of the Political Committee of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) on Friday to among others consider the next steps towards joining the family, government, and the people of Ghana to honor the memory of our former President”.
He added “President Rawlings was the Chairman of the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC), became Chairman of the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC) in 1981, founded the National Democratic Congress (NDC), and was the first President of the Fourth Republic.
His fight for social justice and the principles of probity and accountability led to major interventions that among others ended coup d’etats in Ghana. He is the Founder of our 4th Republic, which remains easy, the longest period of stable, democratic governance in the history of our beloved country, Ghana.
President Jerry John Rawlings is no longer with us. Ghana has lost an icon.
At this time of deep sorrow, Lordina and I send our heartfelt condolences to HE Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, the children, immediate family, the countless number of his former colleagues, and the people of Ghana. Please accept our heartfelt condolences for this immense loss”.
Mr. Mahama said “Now, more than ever, we have a sacred duty to uphold and defend the values of the 4th Republic that President Rawlings held so dear – peace, democracy, probity and accountability, respect for human rights, freedom of the press, tolerance, and inclusion. In doing this, we honor the man who brought us the gift of a free and democratic society.
We will honor him with the same energy and love with which he led our people, and we shall never forget his contributions to the cause of Ghana, Africa, and the World”.
Death of JJ Rawlings
Former President of Ghana, Jerry John Rawlings died in the early hours of Thursday, November 12, 2020.
Sources claim he died from Covid-19 believed to have contracted during the funeral rite of his late Mother Madam Victoria Agbotui in October 2020.
Madam Agbotui died at the age of 101.
Jerry John Rawlings was born on June 22, 1947.
JJ Rawlings affectionately called Papa-J was a charismatic military leader and subsequently became a politician who ruled Ghana from 1981 to 2001 and also a brief period in 1979.
He led a military junta until 1992, and then served two terms as democratically elected President of Ghana.
Many Ghanaians have taken to social media to mourn the former President who is the founder of the largest Opposition party the National Democratic Congress, NDC.
National Mourning
Ghana’s President Nana Akufo Addo has declared seven days of national mourning over the demise of former President Jerry John Rawlings.
The President directed in a statement issued Thursday afternoon hours after the death of former President that “all national flags must fly half-mast in the next seven (7) days, and have declared seven days of national mourning from Friday 13th November to Friday 20th November”.
The President and his Vice have both suspended their political Campaigns towards the December 7 election
Source: Mybrytfmonline.com/Obed Ansah
