The Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, Baroness Patricia Scotland, has paid homage to the family of the late former President Jerry John Rawlings.
She spoke fondly of the late President describing him as “an emblem of freedom, hope and inspiration who represented the best of Africa.”
Baroness Scotland said the former President was not just loved by the people of Ghana but he was also an icon of Africa who represented freedom, liberty, good governance and the best of man.
In a sentimental tribute during a courtesy call on Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings and the family, the Commonwealth Secretary-General said she had come to pay homage to what President Rawlings fought hard to achieve during his lifetime.
“The Commonwealth as you know is made up of 54 countries, 2.5 billion people, 60 percent of whom are under the age of 30 and throughout the late President’s tenure and throughout his whole career, he cared greatly for young people – their future, their hopes, their aspirations, and his humility and kindness is something that marked him apart from many of those from his era.”
The Commonwealth Secretary-General, who was in Ghana with a team to monitor Ghana’s elections, said she is in the country at a time when memories of what the former President stood for are in play.
“The tensions are here between both parties that have competed in this election, but I hope that all will be uplifted by his (President Rawlings’) memory and that all Ghanaians will stay true to the torch that he has given us.
“So I am humbled that I am able to come on behalf of that 2.5 billion people to say that our heart is with you, our loss cannot mirror your loss; that we can partake in it because a light has gone from this world but it will never be extinguished. Because he lights our history and just as he lighted the way for our past, he will be the beacon for the future.”
Professor Luis Franceschi, Senior Director of the Governance and Peace Directorate of the Commonwealth Secretariat and leader of the Observer Mission to Ghana, who was part of the delegation said President Rawlings’ loss was a win for heaven. He said the life of the late President describes the best times of the Ghanaian democracy.
“We came here to observe the elections; there are many things that could be improved, that will be improved but certainly the legacy of that peaceful voting day is the legacy of a man who had the courage to guide the country to this democratic path which shines not only in Africa but across the Commonwealth. And coming from Kenya, I know when we were creating our constitution we very carefully looked at Ghana and the experience of Ghana. It taught us many things. We thank Ghana for giving that great statesman to Africa and the Commonwealth.” He stated.
President Rawlings passed on November 12, 2020. His passing caused a great stir in Ghana as some people found it difficult to take the news of his passing.
Currently, preparations are underway to finalize a date for his burial as Chiefs of the Anlo state through a press statement, expressed their dismay in the announcing of a funeral date by the Presidency without consulting them as the tradition of Anlo demands. They called on President to reconsider and see to it that the right traditional processes are followed.
In a statement dated December 10, 2020, the Chief Of Staff of the Office of the President, Hon. Akosua Frema Osei-Opare noted that “the President would be grateful if the families of the late President could resolve all outstanding matters and convey to the Office of the President an agreed date for his funeral, for the necessary action to be taken as soon as possible.”
