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Jerry John Rawlings, my house and classmate, passed away on November 12, 2020. He dominated Ghanaian politics for over 20 years, as military head of state, president and founder of the 4th Republic. He was also a polarizing figure and the rest in death.
The ruling New Patriotic Party, whose party was in opposition when it was president, does not know whether to deny it or demand it to death, although President Nana Akufo-Addo has ordered a period of mourning 7-Day Former NDC President Mahama complained that his party is prevented from mourning their party’s father and conducted an independent vigil to mourn him. Both parties say they have suspended their campaigns during this period of mourning, but many of the messages of condolence and praise surrounding his legacy are thinly veiled political statements.
Even in her grief, his widow, Nana Konadu, must decide to continue running for the presidential election of her own party, the National Democratic Party, which has broken away from the NDC.
But what exactly is the legacy that Ghanaians are fighting for and how does that legacy mean to the rest of Africa?
Rawlings burst onto the scene with his first attempted coup on May 15, 1979, in response to what he saw as the corruption and mismanagement of the ruling regime. Following the failure of the coup, he was tried and sentenced to death. He managed to escape and on June 4 was given the opportunity to rule the country for three months. It was clear,
however, that he had no plan beyond his fight against corruption. He returned to the political arena in 1981 with renewed vigor – and continued to serve as head of state and then president until 2001. His aim was to lead a “more participatory popular government” with the responsibility and probity at its heart.
His vision was well intentioned, and his rhetoric helped convince the common man that he had their best interests at heart. However, it ended up being the poster child for international economic agencies. They desperately needed Africa’s success and imposed a rigorous macroeconomic structural adjustment program that stabilized the economy but failed to make Ghana the much-hoped-for world champion.
Rawlings was a boon for those who wanted economic growth and development. He was seen as a man of selfless principle, a fearless, steadfast leader in social justice, eager to right injustice and defend the common man against the rent-seeking elite that strangled the economy. He was also an excellent communicator, and many will mourn him as an honest hero who dominated and stepped into the political arena when he saw fit. His legacy as a brash, daring, and unadorned champion of the common man will remain and endure. A more measured examination of his time in government, however, tells us that he was ill-prepared for the task he took on and that soldiers cannot run countries very well. It is better to leave the task of political leadership to political parties that bring in competing ideologies and well thought out policies. Rawling’s story shows that leaders without a plan may be successful in running the country but will struggle to transform the economy or fortunes of their people, especially if their economic solutions are not local.
IS RAWLINGS ‘LEGACY SIGNIFICANT FOR THE REST OF AFRICA?
An advanced soul and good intentions ultimately count for nothing if there is no plan to create strong institutions and strong and lasting policies. Corruption is still rampant in Ghana and in these days of globalization, our country still serves the economic interests of others and continues to demand transformation.
We must learn from Rawling’s legacy that staying in government longer doesn’t allow you to run the country better and that running a country is a continuum. Leaders must aim to achieve their best in the shortest possible time.
While Rawlings continued to step in and inspire in Ghana after his departure, it was a disappointment to me that he did not turn to the larger stage in Africa. That he did not intervene to resolve a major crisis or to help eradicate a deadly pandemic. If he had, he would have been better appreciated across the continent and could have claimed his place as an international African statesman.
Either way, we can still mourn Rawlings like a passionate man, with good intentions for the uplifting of the common man.
May her soul rest in perfect peace in the Lord.
Credit: Ade Sawyerr
Ade Sawyerr is a management consultant at Equinox Consulting who works on business, employment and community development.
problems in the inner city and black and minority communities in Britain. He comments on social, economic and political issues and
can be contacted at www.equinoxconsulting.net or [email protected]
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