It was not a boom night, but a night to celebrate and adulate Flt Lt. Jerry John Rawlings -- the only man who for close to two decades ruled supreme over Ghana and its people. His former colleagues in government and the military, friends and well-wishers as well as his ardent followers in the National Democratic Congress (NDC), came in their numbers to wine and dine with Jerry@60.
Most of them paid tribute to Papa Jerry and spoke about how they know him. Obviously excited, the audience kept clapping and showing their admiration in different ways for the man who is not just a former president but a cherished son, friend, brother, uncle, grandfather and boss.
It was not an all NDC thing, although there weren’t many elements from the other side of the political divide, except former military General, Nunoo Mensah (a known NPP sympathiser who has in the past criticised Rawlings severely). General Nunoo Mensah surprised many, by saying some pretty nice things about the former President. The venue was the State Banquet Hall and the large number of 4WD’s and other expensive cars in the parking area made it clear that this was not just a birthday gig for an ‘ordinary’ man but an extraordinary celebration of the life of a man who is feared and respected in equal measure by many in Ghana and abroad. The diplomatic community was very well represented, and so were friends of the Rawlings family and officials of various other institutions including the media. There was a lot to drink, from the soft drinks to real hard liquor. Food was in abundance and the former President was very well-dressed and he seemed very happy and pleased with himself, especially with his wife around him.
When he took to the floor to dance with his “beautiful” (Papa Jerry doesn’t spare that adjective at all) Nana, it was a rather curious site. A hiplife tune was playing but they seemed to be in a world of their own as they exhibited their ballroom dance steps. Nana Konadu still has some great moves and she effortlessly guided her hubby through some fine dance steps.
Before that, the hundreds who have gathered formed a long queue and insisted that they be allowed to shake hands with the former President. The likes of former GNPC boss, Tsatsu Tsikata, former Local Government Minister, Kwamena Ahwoi, his brother Ato Ahwoi, Metro TV CEO, Talal Fattal, KSM, several MPs and diplomats all waited patiently in line to exchange pleasantries with Mr. and Mrs Rawlings.
When it was time for people to say some ‘few nice words’ about the former president, a common theme run through most of the remarks: that Flt Lt Rawlings had strong attributes of “probity and accountability” (a very popular phrase in the P/NDC era) and that he worked to provide equal opportunities for all.
When he took the mic after a night of music, dancing, wining & dining and cutting of his birthday cake, JJ said “thank you” to his daughters (he calls them ladies now) and son for the birthday party surprise. He didn’t know about the party until the Asantehene called him a few hours to the event to apologise for his inability to attend.
Recounting how in their early lives he failed to show his children much-needed fatherly love, Papa Jerry said he did so because he didn’t want them to become too dependent on him. He feared that he might die (in those heady days when things were so volatile that no one could predict what could happen next) and cause a dislocation in their lives if they became too close to him.
All four kids were immaculately dressed with Dr. Ezanetor Rawlings (whose flying antics in a military plane shocked and awed many) showing glimpses of the control she has on things as she moved around to make sure that things were running smoothly. She wore a kente fabric, while Amina, wearing a well-cut fashionable evening dress, gave guests some really lovely smiles.
Kimathi (he so much looks like a younger Jerry) looking really cute and wearing a black & gold combination suit and shirt shared jokes with guests and had a lot of photo ops. After Papa Jerry, Kimathi was the most photographed person in the Banquet Hall. Yaa Asantewaa was not around that much, but whenever she showed up (in her wine dress) jaws dropped.
A documentary made by the Rawlings kids about their father was screened as part of the celebrations. The documentary, using some rare still pictures of Papa Jerry and few videos was really well produced, tracing a young Jerry Rawlings’ school days, his romantic escapades with Nana Konadu, his days in the military and his political life. An interesting point in the documentary was when the then bushy and bearded Kwamena Ahwoi collapsed after a 100m race and Jerry Rawlings took the number 5 position in a game among PNDC secretaries and members. It was a 60th birthday bash for Papa Jerry but it was also a family reunion of sorts, as many former officials of the NDC administration and the former President’s friends and well-wishers came together to celebrate his life. It was a night to remember and many are already looking forward to the 70th birthday bash.
