Jerry Rawlings

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

Former President Jerry Rawlings Addressing the UN general Assembly

Former President Jerry Rawlings in a military fatigue

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. During his early 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, but could not obtain his General Certificate of Education 'O' Level due to 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 studies. He graduated in January 1969, and was commissioned a Pilot Officer, winning 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, enjoying a close rapport with his men.

Rawlings as a Military Leader

During his service with the Ghanaian Air Force, Rawlings perceived a deterioration of discipline and morale, reflecting the corruption of the Supreme Military Council (SMC) at that time. As promotion brought him into contact with the privileged classes and their social values, his view of the injustices in society hardened. 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 28 May 1979, Rawlings, together with six others, were arrested and appeared before a General Court Martial in Accra, charged with leading a mutiny of junior officers and enlisted men of the Ghanaian Armed Forces on 15 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 short incarceration, Rawlings was tortured and abused, including having his fingernails pulled out with pliers.

When he was scheduled for another court appearance on 4 June 1979, Rawlings was sprung from custody. With the support of both the military and civilians, he led a bloody coup, which ousted the Supreme Military Council from office and brought the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC) to power.

As one of his first acts in power, Rawlings ordered the execution of all former military dictators. Ignatius Kutu Acheamphong, Akwasi Afrifa, and Fred Akuffo were executed for various abuses during their respective terms in office. Five other generals- Roy Amedume, Boakye, Roger Felli, Kotei, and Utuka- were also put to death; their alleged crimes are unclear. Rawlings is also reputed to be involed in the killings of Supreme Court Justices Kwadjo Agyei Agyepong, Frederick Sarkodie, and Cecilia Koranteng Addo, as well as a military officer, Major Sam Acquah, who were forcibly taken from their homes and executed in cold blood. However, a national Truth and Reconciliation Commission, chaired by Supreme Court Justice G.E.K. Aikins, absolved Rawlings of any involvement.

The AFRC, under the chairmanship of Rawlings, then carried out a much wider "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 accountability in public life. Many people were killed or executed during this reign of terror, some on the basis of rumour or personal hatred. Meanwhile, following a programme already set in motion before the 4th of June uprising, the ruling junta organized free general elections. On 24 September 1979, the AFRC handed over power to a civilian government led by the People's National Party (PNP), under President Hilla Limann. This cession of power is viewed by many as ineffectual and contrived, and Limann merely a stooge for the AFRC establishment.

Limann's administration was cut short on 31 December 1981, when Rawlings deposed him in another coup. A Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC), composed of both civilian and military members, was established with Rawlings as Chairman. In his second tenure in power, Rawlings' policies became more centrist, and he began to advocate free-market reforms. However, despite the country's economic success, the Ghanaian government was criticized both at home and abroad for committing numerous abuses of human rights.

Rawlings as the President of the Fourth Republic

Rawlings retired from the Ghanaian Armed Forces on September 14, 1992. He became a member and flag bearer of the National Democratic Congress (Ghana) (NDC). He and the NDC were elected in 1992 and 1996, in so-called free and fair elections. These victories, decried as fraud-laden by Rawlings' opponents, resulted in the book Stolen Verdict, published by the opposition, which chronicles instances of vote rigging and acts of intimidation and fear. Per constitutional mandate, Rawlings' term of office ended in 2000; he retired in 2001 and was succeeded by John Kufuor, his main opponent in the 1996 elections. Kufuor succeeded in defeating Rawlings' vice-president John Atta-Mills in the 2000 vote, and would do so again in 2004.

Although Rawlings did not complete high school and had 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 government positions.

Rawlings is married to Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, and 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, including wars in Liberia, Côte d'Ivoire, Togo, Guinea Bissau and Sierra Leone).
* Created 110 districts through non-partisan district level elections. Decisions on education, infrastructure, and healthcare all were decentralized and policy-making powers were delegated to the districts.
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