President John Dramani Mahama has paid tribute to the late former President Jerry John Rawlings, describing him as a transformative national figure whose leadership and values shaped Ghana’s democratic foundations, as the National Democratic Congress renamed its national headquarters in his honour.
The party formally designated its headquarters in Adabraka, Accra, as the Jerry John Rawlings House during a commemorative ceremony held on June 22, an event that also featured the unveiling of a bust of the party’s founding leader.
The ceremony brought together national party executives, members of the Council of Elders, government officials, parliamentarians, traditional leaders, activists and invited guests. It coincided with Rawlings’ birthday and formed part of broader annual commemorations by the party.
Addressing the gathering, President Mahama said the event was not only about renaming a building but about preserving history and reinforcing the values that underpin the political tradition of the NDC.
He stated that the occasion represented remembrance, gratitude and renewal, and a moment to reflect on the sacrifices that shaped the party’s journey.
“It is a privilege for me to join you for this historic occasion as we gather to name our party headquarters after a distinguished son of Ghana and to unveil a bust in his honour”.
President John Dramani Mahama
According to him, political movements derive their strength not only from organizational structures but from the ideals and convictions that guide them, adding that the NDC’s history is rooted in service to social justice, democratic governance and national development.
Mahama Describes Rawlings as Transformative Leader
President Mahama described Jerry John Rawlings as one of the most influential figures in Ghana’s political history, whose leadership extended beyond his role as a former head of state.
He said Rawlings’ leadership, courage and commitment to probity, accountability and social justice helped define the ideological foundation of the NDC and contributed significantly to Ghana’s democratic stability.
“The man we commemorate today, Jerry John Rawlings, was a man whose leadership, courage, and unwavering commitment to the ideals of probity, accountability, and social justice and national service have helped shape the political tradition from which our party emerged”.
President John Dramani Mahama
He added that Rawlings was a leader who challenged systems he believed failed ordinary citizens and consistently worked to promote fairness, discipline and opportunity.
President Mahama said Rawlings’ contribution went beyond politics, describing him as a national figure whose vision inspired generations of Ghanaians and helped lay the groundwork for the democratic freedoms enjoyed today.
According to him, naming the headquarters after Rawlings was a declaration that the values he championed, including integrity, patriotism, sacrifice and service, must continue to guide the party and its leadership.
Headquarters as Symbol of Political History
President Mahama emphasized that the party headquarters is not simply an administrative facility but the operational heart of the NDC. He explained that it is the place where ideas are debated, policies are developed, manifestos are written and strategic decisions are taken.
“It is the operational heart of our party. It is the place where ideas are debated, policies are formulated, manifestos are written, strategies and decisions are made in pursuit of our mission to serve the people of Ghana”.
President John Dramani Mahama
President John Dramani Mahama added that the building has witnessed both moments of political success and periods of difficulty, serving as a central point in the party’s evolution.
By naming it after Rawlings, President Mahama said the NDC was embedding its history into its institutional identity and ensuring that future generations understand the sacrifices that shaped the party.
The unveiling of the bust, he added, was equally symbolic, serving as a permanent reminder of Rawlings’ ideals rather than merely a physical representation of his likeness.
Rawlings’ Resistance to Personal Tribute
A key highlight of the President’s remarks was his reflection on Rawlings’ personal opposition to the naming of public monuments after him. President Mahama noted that Rawlings consistently resisted attempts to immortalise his name through physical structures, despite his significant contributions to the country.
He stated that Rawlings declined proposals to have major institutions named after him, including the University for Development Studies, despite having contributed his World Food Prize award as seed funding for its establishment.
The President also recalled a letter he had written during his previous tenure as President seeking permission to name the FPSO for the ENI Sankofa Field after Rawlings.
According to President Mahama, Rawlings responded by suggesting that the honour be passed to former President John Agyekum Kufuor. Quoting Rawlings, Mahama said, “I prefer to have my name inscribed in the minds and hearts of men and women of colour than on statues and monuments.”
He described Rawlings as a man who rejected vanity and ostentation, noting that he preferred to be remembered for his actions and values rather than physical memorials.
President Mahama added that Rawlings was a philosophical leader who often reflected on politics and power, including his observation that political opponents may change names and symbols but often retain their underlying intentions.
Legacy and Institutional Memory
Following Rawlings’ death in November 2020, the NDC has taken formal steps to institutionalize his legacy within the party’s identity. The renaming of the headquarters, according to party tradition, forms part of a broader effort to connect the party’s present with its founding ideals.
The party has also designated June 22 as a foundational commemorative day and declared the entire month of June as NDC Month. The period is marked by lectures, exhibitions and reflective events in collaboration with the J.J. Rawlings Foundation.
While paying tribute to the past, President Mahama cautioned against becoming prisoners of history, stressing that remembrance must serve as a foundation for future progress.
He said the responsibility of current leaders is to build on the legacy they inherited and ensure that the party and the nation are left stronger for future generations.
As the ceremony concluded, President Mahama congratulated the party leadership for organizing the event and reaffirmed that the Jerry John Rawlings House would stand as a lasting symbol of unity, service, and dedication to Ghana.
He expressed hope that the legacy of Rawlings would continue to inspire discipline, patriotism and commitment to national development within the party and beyond.
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