Former Ghanaian President Rawlings Buried

Former Ghanaian leader Jerry John Rawlings was buried with full military honours on Wednesday, 27th January, after a state funeral attended by representatives of world leaders.

Jerry Rawlings, who died in November at the age of 73, held power for two decades in Ghana, first as a military ruler and later as elected president.

He was buried in a coffin draped in Ghana’s national colours of red, yellow, green and black, and an officer’s cap was placed at the head of the closed coffin with a glittering gold-plated sword.

As a former air force pilot, he was also given a guard of honour at Independence Square; a symbol of Ghana’s victory over colonial Britain, in the nation’s capital Accra.

A lot of Ghanaians earlier this week paid their final dues and respects as his coffin laid in state during two days of national mourning under strict COVID-19 guidelines.

“You took pride in your fatherly duties… you’re passionate and open-hearted.

“Your gift of sharing knew no bounds. You never hesitated to help in the passing of laws to protect the vulnerable in society. Jerry, I know that God created us for each other. You did your best and I played my part,” said his widow Nana Konadu Agyemang-Rawlings in a tribute.

Ghana’s President Nana Akufo-Addo described Rawlings as a “charismatic and fearless leader.”

Papa J, as Rawlings was fondly known, was buried at a military cemetery in Accra after a three-hour ceremony of tributes, prayers, cultural displays and songs.