The sudden demise of Flt. Lt. J.J. Rawlings

NEWS COMMENTARY ON THE SUDDEN DEMISE OF FLT. LT. J.J RAWLINGS

Ghanaians and the world over woke up on Thursday, November 12, 2020, to hear of the shocking and unbelievable news of the passing of one of the greatest leaders of our time, Flt. Lt. Jerry John Rawlings. The sudden death of a great leader, inspirer, mentor and pacesetter, especially on the heels of a few weeks after burying his demised centenarian mother, came as an unsuspecting bullet which rammed through the silent forest. As a young soldier, he successfully led and prosecuted two revolutions that have, in no doubt, left indelible marks in the sand of time in terms of bringing an end to persistent military coup d’états to establish a democratic system that has lasted almost 30 years. His passion for probity, accountability, transparency and social justice dates back to his days at Achimota College where he always stood to defend the defenseless. In fact, throughout his military, public and revolutionary lives, such virtues that laid the foundations of nation-building were never lost on him.

As we mourn his demise for the next seven days as declared by the Head of State Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, we must reflect on the ideals that he stood for, to deepen our resolve in creating the free and just society we crave for. Indeed, he was a strong and asserting military person, qualities that reflected in his dealings with the civilian population he led through the PNDC and NDC. Moving from military to Civilian leadership showed the kind of personality Ghana, Africa, and the world have lost. His passion for equity and equality of opportunity for all manner of persons and institutions truly formed the foundations of the current democratic dispensation we have enjoyed through seven general election that have witnessed transition from one political persuasion to the other.

Mr. Rawlings will be remembered for the good, the bad, and the ugly. That showed that he was human admired by many but despised by few. Ghana, Africa and the world will continue to remember him not for the pain that he supposedly brought to some people, but for the joy that comes after the pain. In fact, nobody eats an omelet without breaking an egg. More so, gold passes through fire before it becomes refined. Flt. Lt. J.J. Rawlings has left us on the heels of a very crucial election on December 7, 2020.

The suspension of political campaigns by all the political parties is a testimony of the treasure he has left us as a country, a sound democratic order built on the foundations of the 1992 Constitution of multi-party democracy. Let the period of his mourning be the basis of cooling the flames that have so characterised the campaigns of the two leading political parties.

We need peaceful but credible elections to honour our great son for all the sacrifices he put his personal life and the lives of those who shared in his passion to brave the storms of making Ghana a leading and acclaimed democracy in the western world.

May his gentle soul rest in peace.

BY: NANA OSEI PIESIE-ANTO A CADRE.