The burial of the Late former President J J Rawlings was soon underway after his tragic departure on the 12th of November 2020. He was indeed a vastly cherished man with great Vision and Ambition. Many known him as the man who actually brought economic stability in Ghana the late times. Well I’m sure you’ve heard wicked stories about him too given the fact that his was a soldier.
As we set our tides to Mourn our dear father and Leader here are a few things you probably didn’t know about the ambitious man J J Rawlings.
First lets get to know him a little then we follow up to curb your suspense.
His full name was Jerry John Rawlings and he was born on June 22 1947 in Accra to his Ghanaian mother from the Volta Region. He was a military and Political leader in Ghana which I’m sure you all know about. Now lets move on…
THINGS YOU DIDN’T KNOW ABOUT RAWLINGS
Most of these findings may come out as a surprise and you may probably tell yourself jeez i should have known this, others too are too common that people may have heard but to ignorance you never heard. Nevertheless some are the core facts and you can’t be guilty for not knowing. First off;
HIS FATHER WAS SCOTTISH
Ever wondered where the nice name Rawlings came from? Well i did too, it turns out Rawlings had a Scottish Father. When I say Scottish i mean Scotland. His father who goes by the name James Ramsey John was from Scotland, A Chemist from Castle Douglas in Kirkcudbrightshire (a name you don’t want to bother pronouncing) in Scotland. His mother by the Victoria Agbotui was an Ewe form keta in the Volta Region. The Parents probably met in Ghana and after finding love took things to the next level.
RAWLINGS WAS A KWESI (SUNDAY BORN)
This demanded a little simple calculation. John J Rawlings was born on on 22nd of June dating back to 1947, that particular day was a Sunday .Many of you may have not thought about this because it may be irrelevant. But this is something all Sunday borns should be proud about. He zodiac sign was also a Cancer which should mean a lot.
HIS NICKNAME WAS JUNIOR JESUS
J.J Rawlings had a nickname Junior Jesus. I’m guessing this was because even i had hard time figuring out what the J.J in his name meant. His was nicknamed Junior Jesus for the fact that he was a true redeemer. Through Political endeavors he managed to bring Ghana the stability it needed after the reign of Kwame Nkrumah.
HE ATTENDED ACHIMOTA SCHOOL
Our Great Flt Lt Jerry John Rawlings went to Achimota School. Yes Achimota Senior High School. And that is where he started his military aspirations. In the cadet army of the ACHIMOTA Cadet training. Interestingly Achimota is where Rawlings met his lovely wife Konadu Agyemang Rawlings. Im sure it was a love at first sight. This should give you some motivation. Not to endorse the school or whatsoever but if he is your mentor you can sure follow in his footsteps.
HE WAS A CHORISTER
Don’t read in awe , Yes Military men have a voice too and I bet Rawlings did have an awesome one. From the way he gives his speeches so well I could tell. He was part of the Achimota School Choir that performed for the late President Nkrumah during National Ceremonies at the Flag Staff house. Indeed He was a true Servant.
RAWLINGS WON THE SPEEDY TROPHY IN HIS YEAR
Flt Lt J.J Rawlings wasn’t just a mere servant he performed well too. He graduated as the best cadet in flying and airman-ship back in 1969 thus winning the coveted Speed Bird Trophy for his year group. Aside this rumors are that he was able to fly an airplane below the Adomi Bridge. One story that i cannot confirm for myself. Maybe if you have proof you can leave it in the comments section of this article.
RAWLINGS OVERTHREW GOVERNMENT TWICE ON A ROW
Rawlings attempted his first coup d’etat around 1979 and was sentenced to death but bravely, he escaped and in turn overthrew the government military power. Ruling the country for sometime In 1981 he later conducted another coup to seize total political power of the nation as the economy of the country was struggling and yes he succeeded.
His regime brought true economic stability at a time it was needed most but through the autocratic rule. But the autocracy changed when after a few coup attempts against him that even caused close of borders and serious curfews and famine.
He and all his commissioners realized the need for democracy after a long while. In 1992, in the first presidential balloting held in Ghana since 1979, Rawlings—representing a new party, the National Democratic Congress (NDC)—was elected president. The citizens reelected him to a second term in 1996 with almost three-fifths of the vote.
MAY HIS SOUL REST IN PEACE
To end this talk, Rawlings was a good man and regardless of his approach in achieving his goals I can be sure to say he had the country’s best interest at heart. May His Blessed Soul Rest in Peace.