Former President of Ghana Dies at Age 73

Former Ghanaian president Jerry Rawlings passed away at age 73 (Wikimedia Commons).

Jerry Rawlings, former president of Ghana, died at 73 on November 12. Rawlings was a former Ghanaian military officer who twice seized control of the country after military coups and subsequently oversaw Ghana’s transition to multi-party democracy. There is limited information regarding Rawlings’ death, but he reportedly developed a short-term illness and passed away. It is unknown if his illness was caused by the COVID-19 virus.

In addition to twice seizing control of Ghana through military coups in 1979 and 1982 over government corruption, Rawlings also founded Ghana’s National Democratic Congress (NDC) party, becoming the democratically-elected president in 1992. He remained in office until stepping down in 2001.

Rawlings is perhaps best known for creating Vision 2020 in 1995, a long-term plan designed to improve Ghana’s economic growth, rural and urban development, and infrastructure. The plan sought to replicate Singapore’s liberalization-induced economic explosion in the 1960s.

In December, the next Ghanaian presidential election will take place between incumbent president Nana Ajufo Addo and John Mahama, another former president whom Rawlings publicly supported. Mahama responded to Rawlings’ death by suspending his tour of the Ashanti region and all of his campaigns across the country. Similarly, current president Akufo-Addo declared a one-week mourning period for the country and commented, “A great tree has fallen, and Ghana is poorer for this loss.”

Rawlings was not universally loved, however, as he supervised and supported the execution of multiple former heads of state and generals arrested for corruption. He also ordered the killing of Supreme Court judges by a firing squad. At the time, he said, "I am still aware that we in Ghana do not like bloodshed… I personally do not like it. I mean, I'd rather confiscate a man's wealth and bring him down to the level to which he's brought us.” 

Nonetheless, Rawlings’ death is significant. He is often referred to as the father of democracy in Ghana due to his critical leadership in developing the NDC and affectionately as “Papa Jay” (Jay for ‘Jerry’). Upon hearing the news of his death, one Ghanaian woman expressed that she saw the former leader as a father to the country and “a father to us.” 

Liberian President George Weah also paid his respects. "Ghana, Liberia and Africa will miss a great leader,” he said. “Liberia remembers his immense contribution to the attainment and sustainment of peace during our dark days of our own history.”