Martin Amidu, a stalwart member of the National Democratic Congress has eulogized the passing of the former President, Jerry John Rawlings.

He recounted that his passing left an irreplaceable gap in the country but particularly in the NDC.

Jerry John Rawlings passed away on November 12, 2020, at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital after a short illness.

“Comrade Jerry John Rawlings, it is already three years since your departure from the earthly Ghanaian and world political scene, but it already looks like decades to comrades committed to your ideals and practical vision for our dear country. Every day things are getting worse. I wish you were in a position to predict when things will get better for the people of Ghana you so loved, laid down your life for, and fought relentlessly to emancipate from the yoke of political, social, and economic neo-colonialism.”
Martin Amidu

He further bemoaned that the 1992 Constitution he bequeathed to Ghana has been raped and defiled beyond recognition by the fraternity of all the professional political and middle-class elites. According to him, Ghana has become in the words of Chinua Achebe, “a cesspool of corruption and misrule”, overseen by a state-sponsored Special Prosecutor.

Furthermore, he argued that the citizens of Garu, Wa, Ashaiman, and others who have been brutalized and robbed under direct Government sponsorship are crying for Rawlings and hoping his spirit will direct a redemption for these woes of the times Ghanaians live in this country.

“Comrade Rawlings, can you imagine that even a Deputy Majority Leader can override an invitation by Parliament for a Minister of National Security to appear before it to justify unconstitutional conduct by the Government?”, he retorted.

He emphasized that these and more are happening in Ghana today with all Ghanaians afraid to challenge the illegality and unconstitutionality. Even articles criticizing the regime do not see the light of day in some media outlets on grounds of pervasive corruption.

Moreover, Amidu stated that incidentally, the shock at once, is that the Speaker of Parliament was one of the early Members of Parliament in the National Democratic Congress (NDC) under the first NDC Government who would not have dared disregard the suffering of ordinary brutalized Ghanaians when he [Rawlings] were alive.

“The fact that you would have spoken up was enough to instill sanity into the body politic”, he added.

A Vacuum Never To Fill

He also indicated that the former president left an irreplaceable gap at his passing away.

He also stated that he was in earnest waiting for Nana Agyemang Konadu to actualize a foundation in honor of the former president so that at least, Ghanaians can have a J. J. Rawlings Lecture on the anniversary of his demise.

“Comrade Rawlings, your demise has created a vacuum in cadre mobilization, action, and leadership. I have been waiting day after day for your foundation, the Rawlings Foundation, to be a galvanizing point for mobilization to continue your legacy of ensuring real probity, transparency, and accountability of Government and the greedy political elite for our people. Alas! It is taking too long to materialize.”
Martin Amidu

“Surely Jerry John Rawlings you were an honest leader of integrity and a hard taskmaster, but you were also very tolerant and magnanimous”, he concluded.

He praised the former president for drawing the best from his comrades, and compatriots each of whom was proud to serve him to the utmost capacity.

“Comrade Jerry John Rawlings, I salute you and you will continue to live in our hearts amidst the culture of silence in Ghana today”, Mr. Amidu eulogized.

Dr. Donald Agumenu, a leadership and governance expert and former Special Assistant to late President Jerry John Rawlings, also urged institutions of higher learning to consider hosting leadership lectures in memory of former President Rawlings.

He emphasized that ‘Rawlings’ is an evolving theory encompassing good leadership, anti-corruption, inclusion, and justice.