Ghana's former President Jerry John Rawlings has died at the age of 73.
As a senior officer in the Ghana Air Force, he led two coups, first in 1979, handing over to a civilian government, and then two years later.
He was the head of a military junta until introducing multi-party elections in 1992, when he was first elected president. He stepped down in 2001 after serving two terms.
A charismatic figure, he came to power in 1979 railing against corruption.
Reports from Ghana say that the former president died in hospital in the capital, Accra, after a short illness.
In the few months that he led the country in 1979, he was responsible for executing several former heads of state and army generals for their alleged graft and mismanagement.
He was also seen as a champion of the poor and began his time in power as a committed socialist.
He later introduced free-market reforms and ushered in a long period of political stability, that continues today, after a tumultuous series of coups in the 1960s and 1970s.
Source: BBC
Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. |
May he never find rest in Hell ! Ghanaians have short memories His butchery majesty Julor Jato Rawlings has finally journeyed to the realm of hades without telling the families of over 200 Ghanaians he kidnapped during his brutish and boorish rule, their whereabouts. Are these Ghanaians still alive in captivity ? Or did he kill them and bury them in his palace near the volta lake ? Nana Konadu Rawlings must now tell the families of the over 200 Ghanaians who her husband kidapped, their whereabouts. The families of these 200+ will love to give a befitting burial to their loved ones !