By Dayo Omoogun
Former President Jerry Rawlings of Ghana has died, Thursday, as a result of coronavirus-related complications at the age of 73.
The late John Jerry Rawlings first rode to power as a military leader following a coup in 1979 but later transmuted to civilian President and ruled Ghana for 20 years from 1981 to 2001.
Rawlings is one of the most respected leaders of the African continent and is generally remembered for his aggressive fight against corruption which led to the state-organized public execution of three former Ghanaian heads of state who were found guilty of massive corruption.
His reign ushered in a new Ghana with a revived economy and better governance records which has put the West African state ahead of many of its peers in terms of development.
It is interesting to recall that the former Ghanaian leader who was until his death the African Union’s envoy to Somalia just buried his mother barely a month ago.
There has been a massive outpour of love, solidarity with the family, respect, accolades from people and world leaders, especially across the African continent.