John Jerry Rawlings has held Ghana in his strong hands for over two decades. He made himself the issue in Ghana politics. Now, he is leaving and nothing but joy will swell in the hearts of many.
Doubtlessly, Ghana will bid him farewell. Which African leader leaves office willingly and is not bid farewell. If Abacha had voluntarily relinquished power, he would have had a similar ceremony.
Rawlings first came into our consciousness twenty-one years ago through a military coup. He retreated within four months having executed three of his predecessors in office. He returned twenty-five months later and has held on to power ever since; his second coming was nineteen years ago.
Many did not believe him when he said he was leaving; what after all is Rawlings outside the Osu Castle? But he vowed this time around; he was leaving for good. So, who replaces him? Many thought if in truth Rawlings would leave, he would put his wife Nana in the Castle to replace him. He vigorously denied this and rather picked his deputy, Professor Atta Mills as his chosen successor.
Last week Rawlings in his characteristic manner railed against those who don't believe him "Ghana has proven beyond doubt that she can be trusted, so has Rawlings, so what is your problem?" he asked a BBC correspondent.
After spending two decades at the State House, Rawlings claims he is in a hurry to get out because to him, "the place is a prison" As for the job he has held on to so tenaciously that his regime detained critics and, as the opposition has always claimed, dispatched many to early graves, Rawlings claimed "You are trapped by this job" True?
So, if Rawlings is leaving at last, where is he headed for? He claims his next war is against malaria, he wants to work for the World Health Organisation or some NGO to fight the Malaria scourge.
But that is not all, he wants to move into "the farms and factories". The last time, Rawlings was out of power, he worked in the farms and on workers and when he re-emerged, it was to announce another coup and declare himself President. Now, it is doubtful if ever he would plan another coup, but anybody who counts Rawlings out of Ghana's political calculus would be attempting suicide.
The first time the Rawlings phenomenon appeared was on May 15, 1979, when as a Flight Lieutenant he led a group of junior officers in an attempt to confront their generals on alleged corruption charges. He was promptly arrested and put on trial. The mistake the government did was to allow him to publicly speak at his trial. Like Anthony did to the Romans after Caesar's murder, he worked on Ghanaians and they were swayed by his charisma and oratorial powers. He turned the table against his accusers. But that was not enough to save him, what did it was a June 4, 1979, revolt by junior officers who toppled the General Fred Akufo regime. The plotters plucked Rawlings from prison, took him to the broadcasting house where he announced a revolution and took him to the State House to start life as Head of State.
He stamped his print on the consciousness of the world when on July 16, 1979, in a "house-cleaning exercise" he executed former Head of State General Ignatius Kutu Acheampong. Then ten days later, he executed two of his predecessors, Generals Afrifa and Akufo.
In the euphoria of his coup, he handed over power to President Hilla Liman of the Peoples National Party who had been democratically elected. That was on September 24, 1979. Within twenty-eight months, Rawlings was back via a coup.
He was called Junior Jesus and acted like a man on a suicidal mission. Soon after he settled down, he purged his government of notable radical elements like students' leader Chris Bukari Atim and Sergeant Daniel Aloga Akata-Pore.
Until today, there are some Ghanaians who want to bring Rawlings to justice for allegedly murdering three judges. Their Lordships were abducted from their homes on June 30, 1982, and murdered.
Having stabilised himself in power, Rawlings embraced the International Monetary Fund (IMF). When he came to power, the Ghanaian Cedi was 2.75 to a dollar, today it is over 7,000 cedis to the same dollar. Rawlings and his group see themselves as economic miracle workers, many Ghanaians see them as traitors who destroyed the country and betrayed the people's confidence.
Rawlings is a very complex man, he blows hot and cold; denounces international capital and embraces it; claims to be a democrat but is at home with dictators as he was with Sani Abacha.
He would not fade away easily, but after he leaves power, many Ghanaian exiles are likely to visit home. People seeking to make him account for his years in power would also rise up. Doubtlessly, Africa has heard enough of Rawlings, we should all mark his exit. Yesterday's hero is after all clayfooted.
