Heartfelt remembrance from Rawlings' family and foundation four years after his passing

He was a kind man who devoted his entire life to helping regular people, according to a memorial written by the Rawlings Family and Foundation to mark the fourth anniversary of his passing. The Korle Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH) in Accra is where former President Jerry John Rawlings passed away on Thursday, November 12, 2020. A week or so prior to the tragic event, the 73-year-old had been admitted for an unspecified illness.

In a statement, the family praised him as a model of African patriotic leadership dedicated to responsibility, justice, and freedom for the average person. "On the African continent, his bravery in opposing injustice and his strength in opposing the exploitation of our natural and human resources continue to be an inspiration," the family lamented. Speaking on his political career, the family recapped his rise to prominence in 1979, when Ghana was experiencing socioeconomic downturn. Being a teenage fighter pilot in the Air Force and guiding a country through a crisis, Flt Lt JJ Rawlings recognised the importance of "leading from the front," which sparked a new political awakening among Ghanaians.

"Flt Lt Jerry John Rawlings remains the longest-serving leader of Ghana," it reads. From June to September 1979, Rawlings served as Chairman of the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC), Chairman of the PNDC from December 1981 to January 1992, and First President of the Fourth Republic from 1992 to January 2001. He is the founder of the National Democratic Congress.

President Jerry John Rawlings died four years ago today. We mark the fourth anniversary of the former President's death, who was a loving husband, father, uncle, grandfather, and friend to millions of people in Ghana and around the world.

Flt Lt Jerry John Rawlings was a kind man who devoted his life to helping regular people. He exemplified African patriotic leadership dedicated to the rights of the average man and woman to freedom, justice, and responsibility. He underlined the necessity for governments and leaders in Africa who are truly dedicated to helping their citizens. As we consider his legacy, we acknowledge the significant influence JJ Rawlings had on Ghana's development, growth, and socioeconomic recovery. Jerry John Rawlings, who dedicated his life to the cause of social justice, has undoubtedly made a lasting impression on Ghana and Africa.

Africa is still inspired by his bravery in opposing injustice and his fortitude in opposing the abuse of our natural and people resources. In 1979, Jerry John Rawlings made his political debut during a period of socioeconomic downturn in Ghana. Flt Lt JJ Rawlings, a young Air Force fighter pilot, recognised the need of "leading from the front" when guiding a country through a crisis, which sparked a new political awakening among Ghanaians.

Flt Lt Jerry John Rawlings is still Ghana's longest-serving leader. He served as Chairman of the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC) from June to September 1979, Chairman of the PNDC from December 1981 to January 1992, and First President of the Fourth Republic from 1992 to January 2001. He is the National Democratic Congress's founder. The People's Man, Jerry John Rawlings, still exists: A leader willingly sacrificed his life to help the common people.