Tragic Hero: Life and Times of Jerry John Rawlings By Richard Odusanya

On May 28th, 1979. Flt-Lt Rawlings and six other military officers appear before court immediately after a failed coup attempt, which he justifies as a revolt against malfeasance, corruption, lack of transparency and accountability.

He owned up to the act and accepted responsibility for an action that carried maximum penalty with a ‘supreme price’ and subsequently demonstrated leadership by demanding that the rest soldiers be freed. This was uncommon courage, selflessness, and determination.

He was thereafter sentenced to death by firing squad on June 7, 1979. Incidentally, a group of junior army officers came to the rescue and freed him from prison after which they successfully removed the government of General Akuffo.

“Nothing beats logic than a government that forces itself on its citizens. A genuine conducted electoral process should be without the harsh use of the Armed forces and intimidation. This is the best way to assure people that their will has prevailed, this produces a cleansing effect in the society.”- Jerry John Rawlings.

Between 1983 – 1987 Rawlings survived five different coup attempts. Subsequently, conducted election that ushered in the opposition party, New Patriotic Party (NPP). President John Agyekun Kufuor in 2000. Thereafter, became a statesman with his eyes fixed on the assignment for a responsive leadership across the continent of Africa.

Rawlings, powerful messages and passion for probity, accountability in office and a new African renaissance cannot be forgotten. He was an enigma of a revolutionary transformation.

Former American President and foremost philosopher, Franklin D Roosevelt talked so much about fear, that he concluded that if anything at all, “Fear is to be feared itself”. Julius Caesar admonishes us to banish fear, especially the fear of death, from our consciousness “seeing that death is a necessary evil, and it will come when it will”.

Such fatalism may not sit pretty well with everyone, but the fact remains that fear, especially of death, has a debilitating effect that influences the action or inaction of people one way or another. The conquest of fear, therefore, is the beginning of liberty. Martin Luther king Jr (MLK), Thomas SANKARA, P.L.O Lumumba, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, Gani Fawehinmi, Ken Saro-Wiwa and many others have shown that they conquered fear as exemplified by the life of Jerry John Rawlings.

Undoubtedly, enthusiasm will take you where talent alone cannot. Think about it: Every day talented people give in to discouragement and quit, while people with less talent and ability keep going, and succeed. Winston Churchill once quipped, “I’m an optimist. It doesn’t seem too much use being anything else.” If you really, really, really believe that God is on your side, you will be optimistic even in the face of overwhelming obstacles and discouragement.

This is part of the attributes of Jerry John Rawlings – not given to frivolity such as titles, rank and materialism unlike many others, particularly in position of authority lived a spartan life. He didn’t elevate himself to the topmost rank, doggedly determined to end corruption and NEPOTISM.

Death or the fear of death isn’t the only factor that make people fear to speak the truth. For many, the fear of possible loss of privilege, position, wealth or influence lead them to recoil from speaking the truth or to become at best economical with the truth. This is where the attributes of Jerry John Rawlings stand out differently.

They dance around the subject but refrain or are unable to hit the nail right on the head. They become unable to call a spade a spade and begin to search for adjectives and oxymoron when they should have gone straight to the point. People are also scared stiff. Better with a Rawlings mindset.

Clearly, Jerry John Rawlings did not seek for power; rather he challenged the powers that was, so as to enable him and the revolutionary armed forces to serve humanity, not religion or tribesmen, as it is prevalent in the present Africa society.

The question remains; how and where do selfless minds like Jerry John Rawlings, Thomas SANKARA and others derive their unquenchable thirst for selfless service to humanity? These present crops of African leaders or ‘rulers’ ought to seek for this.

At this point in time, the African continent needs a new set of leaders. The present crop across board has woefully failed the people. They are probably just fulfilling their own agenda and the desire to mortgage the future of the next generation through reckless borrowing that no other administration will be able to borrow after their tenure, because they make sure to exceed the limit of money that can be borrowed, soon Nigeria and some other African countries will be on “Google” for Sale.

These leaders have only looked after their own selfish interests and feathered their own nests. At the very best, they have only paid lip service to the problems of Africa interests or been half-hearted in its pursuit. man house is his castle. A country is not one man’s castle and our purported leaders need to become conversant with these. Many African leaders have sought to make their countries treasuries their private properties.

Paradoxically, papa J as fondly called, was at great pain, seeing a country like Nigeria with huge potential for greatness remained a sleeping giant by reasons of poor leadership, cleavage, corruption, and NEPOTISM. This perhaps is the state of mind when papa J passed to glory.

He was a voice of the voiceless, conscience of the Nation and father of the modern Ghanaian society, despite some issues that may not sit well with some of us, history, and posterity will certainly vindicate the Just.

As we identify with Her Excellency former first lady Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings, Dr. Zanetor A Rawlings, ‘MP’ other members of the family and our brothers and sisters across the continent of Africa. It must be noted that JJR is an African Hero that transcends the limits of one nation.

Adieu Jerry John Rawlings! Rest in power “The Wakanda Warrior!!

We will continue to miss you for you remain a great part of the African dream to be fulfilled!!!

Odusanya is the convener of AFRICA COVENANT RESCUE INITIATIVE ACRI