Ghana’s former leader Jerry 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 age of 73, a source at the presidency said.
His death comes slightly over a month after his mother, Victoria Agbotui died at the age of 101 in September 2020.
Rawlings overthrew then-ruler General Frederick Akuffo in 1979 when he was an army lieutenant. He handed over power to civilian rule soon after but then led another coup two years later, decrying the government’s corruption and weak leadership.
Before the demise, the founder of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Jerry John Rawlings was very popular for some quotes, which motivated most people in life.
J J Rawlings was the former president of Ghana from the year 1993 to 2001. He is reported to have died of COVID -19 and left behind his wife Nana Konadu Agyeamang and four children.
Jerry John Rawlings quotes
During the reign of J J Rawlings, he was famous for some quotable quotes and sayings. Below are the top 5 Jerry John Rawlings quotes
1.“Democracy is not realized merely by having a machinery for registering voters and getting them to vote every four years, but also by there being a machinery for identifying the needs of those voters in between the election periods, and monitoring the realization of those needs.”
2.“People with a conscience are sometimes appalled by the extreme insensitivity displayed by some political appointees. The unprecedented levels of corruption, offensive show of power and opulence by some at a time when our country requires prudence and frugality is something that I call on President Mahama and his vice to set their eyes on”
3.I, Rawlings will not turn round and commit the very crime for which another man lost his life.
4.The test of religious belief is not in pious platitudes and cautious charity but in positive and creative action.
5.Whatever form of government we adopt as a people to suit our peculiar circumstances, our basic tenet is our common yearning and concern for every individual; for politics, whatever its colour must be an avenue to serve our fellowmen.
