Jerry Rawlings

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This article is about the Ghanaian leader Jerry Rawlings. For the Sport Equipment manufacturer, see Rawlings.

Flight Lieutenant (Retired) Jerry John Rawlings (born June 22, 1947 in Accra) is a longtime Ghanaian politician who served as the country's president twice. He has been called a "benevolent dictator" by his admirers and a tyrant by others. Initially during his time in office, he committed his government to populist reforms such as socialist economics and anti-corruption measures from which he was to deviate later in his rule.

Rawlings was born in 1947, to a Ghanaian mother from Dzelukope, near Keta, in the Volta Region, and a Scottish father. He was educated at Achimota School where he could not obtain his General Certificate of Education 'O' Level due to his disciplinary problems. He enlisted as a Flight Cadet in the Ghana Air Force in August, 1967, and was subsequently selected for officer cadet training at the Ghana Military Academy and Training School, Teshie, in Accra.

In March, 1968, he was posted to Takoradi in the Western Region to continue his course. He passed out in January, 1969, as a commissioned Pilot Officer. He won the coveted "Speed Bird Trophy" as the best cadet in flying and airmanship. He earned the rank of Flight Lieutenant (Flt Lt) in April, 1978. He was an efficient officer with a close rapport with his men.

Rawlings as a Military Leader

Rawlings was a member of the Ghanaian military with the rank of Flt Lt. Jerry Rawlings was imprisoned for an attempted coup in 1979.

During his service with the Ghana Air Force, he perceived that there was a deterioration of discipline and morale, reflecting the corruption of the regime of the Supreme Military Council (SMC) at that time. As promotion brought him into contact with the privileged classes and their social values, his perception of the injustices in society was sharpened. He was thus regarded with some unease by the SMC. He read widely and discussed social and political ideas with a growing circle of like-minded friends and colleagues.

On May 28, 1979, Flt Lt Rawlings, together with six others were arrested, appeared before a General Court Martial in Accra, charged with leading a mutiny of junior officers and men of the Ghana Armed Forces on 15th May, 1979. There was strong public reaction, especially after his statement had been read in court, explaining the social injustices that had prompted him to act. The ranks of the Armed Forces, in particular, expressed deep sympathy with his stated aims. During his incarceration Jerry John Rawlings was tortured and abused .His finger nails were pulled with pliers When he was scheduled for another court appearance on 4th June, 1979, Flt Lt Rawlings was sprung from custody. With the support of both military and civilians, he led a revolt, which decisively ousted the Supreme Military Council from office and brought the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC) into being.

The AFRC, under the chairmanship of Flt Lt Rawlings, carried out a "house-cleaning exercise" aimed at purging the Armed Forces and society at large of corruption and graft as well as restoring a sense of moral responsibility and the principles of accountability and probity in public life. Innocent lives were lost, others based of rumours and personal hatred. Ghana witnessed its own "reign of terror." Meanwhile, following the programme already set in motion before the 4th June Uprising for civilian administration, general elections were held. On 24th September, 1979, the AFRC handed over to the civilian Government of the People's National Party (PNP) under President Hilla Limann.

He came to power after a bloody military coup organised by his supporters on June 4, 1979. Shortly after that coup, Rawlings ordered the execution of all former military dictators. Acheampong, Afrifa and Akuffo were executed for various abuses during their respective terms. Five other Generals—Amedume, Boakye, Felli, Kotei and Utuka—were also executed at this time, and whose crimes are unclear. There were also rumours that he was behind the execution of the standing supreme court judges (Mr. Justice Kwadjo Agyei Agyepong, Mr. Justice Frederick Sarkodie, and Mrs. Justice Cecilia Koranteng Addo), and Major Sam Acquah, who were forcibly taken from their homes and executed in cold blood; however, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (chaired by Supreme Court Justice G.E.K. Aikins) absolved Rawlings of any connection to these killings. After about 4 months in office, Rawlings' junta, under the banner of the AFRC, organized free elections and handed power to the elected president Hilla Limann - in hindsight considered as ineffective and merely a stooge for the AFRC establishment.

However, Limann's administration was cut short on December 31, 1981 when Rawlings deposed him in a coup. After his second coup Rawlings' policies became more centrist, as he began to advocate free-market reforms. However, despite the country's relative economic success, the Ghanaian government was criticized both at home and abroad for committing numerous abuses of human rights. On 31st December, 1981, Flt Lt Rawlings led a section of the Armed Forces to overthrow the PNP administration. A Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC), composed of both civilian and military members, was established, with Flt Lt J.J. Rawlings as the Chairman.

Rawlings as the President of the Third Republic

Rawlings ceased to be a member of the Ghana Armed Forces with effect from September 14 1992. He became a member and flag bearer of the National Democratic Congress (Ghana) (NDC). He and the NDC were elected to power in 1992 and 1996, in so-called "free and fair elections". Stolen Verdict is a book published by the opposition which chronicles instances of vote rigging and acts of intimidation and fear. Following the requirements of the constitution, his term of office ended in the year 2000 and he retired in 2001 and was succeeded by John Kufuor, his main opponent in the 1996 election who defeated Rawlings's vice-president John Atta-Mills in 2000 (and would do so again in 2004).

Though he could not complete High School diploma and has only an Air Force graduate diploma, he appointed several technocrats such as Dr. Kwesi Botchwey, Ekwow Spio-Garbrah and Dr. Obed Yao Asamoah to important positions during his tenure.

Rawlings is married to Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings with whom he has four children - three girls and a boy. He is the joint recipient of the 1993 World Hunger Award. He holds an Honorary Doctor of Law Degree from Medgar Evers College, City University of New York and Lincoln University Doctorate Degree for Diplomacy and Development.

Achievements of the Rawlings regime

Achieved political and economic stability in a region rife with conflicts (for example Liberia, Côte d'Ivoire, Togo, Guinea Bissau and Sierra Leone).

Created 110 districts through non-partisan district level elections. Education, infrastructure developments and healthcare all devolved to the district level. Annual government subvention by law goe

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