Accra, Jan. 24, GNA – Former President Flight Lieutenant Jerry John Rawlings’ accomplishments and legacy would elicit an enduring quest for probity and accountability among generations.
The Most Reverend Charles Gabriel Palmer-Buckle, the Catholic Metropolitan Archbishop of Cape Coast, made the remark at a Requiem Mass, organised on Sunday, at the Holy Spirit Cathedral, Accra, to pray for and honour the memory of the late former President.
The mass kicks off a four-day State Funeral, which would see him being laid in state at the Accra International Conference Centre from Monday, January 25 to Wednesday, January 27, to allow mourners from all walks of life to pay him their last respects. He will be buried as a stateman, with full military honours, on Wednesday, January 27.
Focusing on ‘Love, Peace and Forgiveness’ in his homily, he said the former President’s commitment to building a society grounded on the principles of probity and accountability was highly commendable and worth preserving.
Most Rev. Palmer Buckle advised the leadership and the citizenry to embrace the spirit of demonstrating genuine love towards one another and learning to create a peaceful environment by forgiving one another for their offences.
While praying for God’s merciful judgment, reward and warm reception for the late President Rawlings, Most Rev. Palmer-Buckle expressed the hope that his deeds on earth would promote commitment in seeking for justice, especially on behalf of the weak in society.
“May his deeds and accomplishments give all young people the zeal and commitment to seek for justice on behalf of the poor, needy and vulnerable,” he stated.
With the other members of the Clergy, he prayed for Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings, widow of Flt.Lt. Rawlings and her children to be strengthened, and be given insight, understanding, courage, faith and hope to withstand the test of time until they reunited with him (Rawlings) on the day of resurrection.
He also encouraged the bereaved family to live in love, peace and harmony and strive to protect the legacy of Mr Rawlings.
The solemn mass, interspersed with hymnals and scripture readings, was graced by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and his wife, the Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia and his wife, Speaker of Parliament Mr Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, Former President John Dramani Mahama, and some government officials.
Others are the Agbotui and allied families and members of the Anlo Traditional Council, stalwarts of the National Democratic Congress, such as Dr Benjamin Kunbuor, Mr Johnson Asiedu Nketia, General Secretary, Mrs Dzifa Gomashie, Member of Parliament for Ketu South, and some foreign dignitaries.
Flt.Lt. Rawlings, the first President of the Fourth Republic of Ghana, died on November 12, 2020, after battling an illness at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, in Accra.
He was survived by his widow, Nana Konadu and four children – Zanetor, Yaa Asantewaa, Amina and Kimathi.
Mr Rawlings, who trained as an air force officer, came to power on 4th June 1979, following a military coup de etat. He handed over power to a civilian regime, headed by President Dr Hilla Limann on 24th September, 1979.
On 31st December, 1981, he, however, staged another coup and became the head of state until 1992.
In that year, Mr Rawlings introduced multi-party elections, which returned Ghana to democratic rule, won the elections and was sworn into office on 7th January 1993.
He served two consecutive four-year terms and stepped down, in line with the 1992 Constitution, and became Ghana’s longest-serving Head of State.
GNA