Jerry John Rawlings, famously known as JJ Rawlings, was born on June 22, 1947, in Accra to madam Victoria Agbotui and James Ramsey John. James Ramsey John is a Scottish Chemist, and Victoria Agbotui is a native of Dzelukope in the Volta Region, Ghana. JJ Rawlings is said to have died on the morning of November 12, 2020, in Accra.
Education, Military Career and the 1979 Coup and Purge
Rawlings was educated at the military academy at Teshie and Achimota College. He was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Ghanian Air Force in 1969. He became a flight lieutenant and expert pilot skilled in aerobics. Together with other junior officers, Rawlings led a successful military coup in 1979 to purge the widespread corruption of the military and public life. The Revolutionary Council, together with Rawlings, ruled for 112 days. During this period, the former head of state Gen. Ignatius Kutu Acheampong and Lieut. Gen. Frederick W.K. Akuffo were tried and executed. Rawlings received the presidential powers as a freely elected civilian; Hilla Limann promptly retired Rawlings from the Air Force.
1981 Coup and Reform
The popularity of Jerry John Rawlings was on the roof. After two years of weak civilian rule during which Ghana’s economy continued to deteriorate, on December 31, 1981, JJ Rawlings overthrew Limann’s government. During this time, JJ Rawlings established the Provisional National Defense Council as the new government. After which, he imprisoned Limann together with 200 other politicians accusing Limann’s leadership to be leading Ghana “down to total economic ruin.”
The approach to economic production and dealings in the country to a different shift. “Peoples’ Defense Committees” were set up in neighborhoods, as were workers’ councils to monitor production in factories.
When it was clear to JJ Rawlings that the strategy adopted and other populist measures headed to failure by 1983, he reversed course and adopted conservative economic policies. These included dropping price controls and subsidies to reduce inflation, devaluing the currency, and privatizing many state-owned companies to stimulate exports.
The New Dawn to Ghanaians
The free-market measures’ adoption sharply revived Ghana’s economy, which had the highest growth rates in Africa by the early 1990s.
Jerry John Rawlings was elected as president in 1992. This was the first presidential election held in Ghana since 1979. He was reelected in 1996 and stepped down from the presidential seat in early 2001.
Continued Interest in Politics
JJ Rawlings still had an interest in politics after he stepped down, having served two terms as allowed by the constitution. He often criticized the successive government, not leaving those of his party on various issues. Issues that caught his interest the most were those dealing with corruption.
The Ghanaians gave him the nickname “Dr. Boom,” which resulted from his regular explosive criticism and speeches.
Jerry John Rawlings Family
Mr. Rawlings was married to Nana Konadu Agyeman, whom he met while at Achimota College. She was a candidate in the 2016 general elections. They had three daughters: Yaa Asantewaa Rawlings, Amina Rawlings, Zanetor Rawlings; and one son, Kimathi Rawlings.
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