The Great Men's Cross 9: Jerry John Rawlings 2

The Great Men's Cross 1

While in jail and awaiting his execution, Rawlings was rescued from prison on 4 June 1979 by some soldiers and he spearheaded the insurgency that overthrew the Supreme Military Council. Lots of lives were lost on June 4 in the fight between forces against the military government and those in support of the insurgency.

Circumstances can be changed by revolution and revolutions are brought about by men, by men who think as men of action and act as men of thought - Kwame Nkrumah

Crush the enemies completely

Adhering to one of the recommendations of Robert Greene, ‘Crush your enemies completely’, Rawlings would leave no stone unturned on becoming the Head of State in Ghana; he ordered for the execution of the former military head of state, General Fred Akuffo, General Afrifa, all former heads of state who had taken part in the overthrowing of the government of former presidents like Kwame Nkrumah. Ignatius Kutu Acheampong as well as the Air Vice-Marshal Yaw Boakye was also executed. Alongside the generals executed are four other generals; Kotei, Roger Felli, General Utuka and Joy Amedume for spoiling the image of the military with corrupt acts.

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Also, Rawlings ensured at this time the execution of the Supreme Court justices like Cecilia Koranteng Addo, Kwadjo Agyei Agyepong and Frederick Sarkodie) along with military officers like Major Sam Acquah and Major Dasana Nantogmah. During this period in Ghana, there were more than 300 that were missing or killed (Cleansing the society, ending ills, starting afresh or gaining ground involve doing both good and bad things. It is only bad to those that support darkness but good to those that support light).

Whenever Rawlings is questioned about this, he never gave denied responsibility of the murder of these generals (always take responsibility for your actions).

Always follow your Actions

Under the military rule of Rawlings, the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC) carried out an extensive ‘house-cleaning exercise’. However, on 24 September 1979, the military government led by Rawlings handed over power to the People’s National Party led by Hilla Limann to allow for democratic rule in Ghana.

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On 31 December 1981, Rawlings overtook the democratic government of Limann once again when he claimed that his government encouraged corruption and ill vices in the society. Rawlings then organized the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC) which was made up of both civilians and soldiers while Rawlings served as the chairman. Rawlings then decentralized power through the PNDC in Ghana.

Post-military

In Jerry Rawlings first official speech after the removal of Limman, he set up and announced the National Commission on Democracy (NCD) which was burdened with the responsibility to decentralize democracy. There was a claim by the PNDC for a return to multi-party democracy. The NCD had to fast-track the process to ensure multi-party elections. The NCD held debates on how best the country can return to multi-party democracy. In March 1991, the NCD came with the conclusion in report where it was recommended that there should be election for the position of executive president, and a national assembly should be established. The PNDC adopted the report, Rawlings legalized political parties and it was averred that names already used for political parties should never be used again.

In the presidential election of 1992, Rawlings contested under the National Democratic Congress (NDC). From the result announced on 3 November 1992, Rawlings won the presidential election with 58.3 percent of vote and it was just a landslide victory.

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You don’t win all

Based on the constitutional requirement of just two terms, Rawlings tenure ended in 2001 and he was retired. Rawlings then nominated his vice-president John Atta Mills but was defeated by Rawlings opponent since 1996, John Agyekum Kufour.

Limelight

Based on Rawlings performance and acts, he was named by the then UN Secretary-General, Kofi Annan as the first International Year of Volunteers 2001 Eminent Person which made him attend a lot of events and conferences where he promotes volunteerism.  Also in October 2000, Rawlings was made the African Union Envoy to Somalia. Rawlings has given lectures at various universities including Oxford University.

In life, learn to pick your fights wisely, don't fight all battles, as youu may win the battle, but lose the war.

We wait for the Nigerian Jerry Rawlings, to clean up the mess of the politicians. The truth Nigeria doesn’t want to hear or believe is that ‘If peaceful revolution is impossible, then violent revolution is inevitable’. Rise Nigeria and fight for what you want and believe in. Corruption would never end without a fight.

‘Government is the common enemy. All weapons are justifiable in the noble struggle against this terrible curse’ – Alexander Berkman

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Thanks for reading. We hope you share to awaken the conscience and sensitize the oppressed society on the need to stand up and fight for their right. We don't win by staying back, of course we win by going all out to fight. You don't solve a problem by managing it, you surmount it by fighting it.

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