By Iddi Yire, GNA
Accra, Nov. 12, GNA – A solemn wreath-laying ceremony was held at the Ghana Armed Forces Cemetery, Burma Camp to mark the sixth anniversary of the loss of Flight Lieutenant Jerry John Rawlings, Ghana’s longest serving Head of State, on Thursday 12 November 2026.
A statement issued by the Office of former President Rawlings said the ceremony, which was officiated by Reverend Father Lt. Col Emmanuel Arthur had in attendance the Military High Command led by Air Vice Marshal Joshua Mensah Larkai, Chief of Staff, General Headquarters of the Ghana Armed Forces, and representatives of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) led by General Secretary Fifi Fiavi Kwetey.
The children, Yaa Asantewaa, Amina and Kimathi Agyeman-Rawlings, children of the former President as well as members of the family led by Colonel Joshua Agbotui (Rtd), Head of the Agbotui family were also in attendance.
In his exhortation, Lt. Colonel Arthur said the ceremony was to celebrate the life President Rawlings led and what he was able to impart to us, saying, “What we bequeath to posterity is what matters,” he said.
“Our former President has left us a legacy of transparency, probity, accountability, discipline and love for humanity. My prayer is that as we celebrate him today, we would uphold these virtues and values and make sure that his memory lives on,” the Chaplain said.
Wreaths were laid on behalf of the children by Yaa Asantewaa Agyeman-Rawlings, with Colonel Joshua Agbotui (Rtd) laying one on behalf of the Agbotui and allied families.
The General Secretary of the NDC, Fifi Kwetey laid a wreath on behalf of the party that Flt Lt Rawlings founded.
Flt. Lt. Jerry John Rawlings was Head of State of Ghana from 1981 to 2000 as well as for a brief period from June 4 to September 24, 1979.
From 1981 to 1992, he was the Chairman of the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC) – a joint military/civilian government. In 1992, he was elected President under a new constitution.
After two terms in office, he handed over power on January 7, 2001, and subsequently served as the United Nations Eminent Person for International Volunteerism.
Former President J.J. Rawlings focused on implementing human-centred development policies in order to improve the health, nutritional status and longevity of Ghanaians: Almost 40 percent of total public expenditure was allocated to education and the health sector alone.
A comprehensive health policy was implemented to create a socially equitable system of health for Ghanaians.
Under this policy, hospitals and clinics were rehabilitated and constructed at regional and district level to give rural communities access to healthcare services.
Vigorous rural development programmes were realised. Electrification, which was available to less than twenty percent of Ghana’s population, was extended to all ten regions and every district.
The former President was also seriously interested in matters of the environment. This was an issue he was passionate about even while he was in office.
He used to personally join voluntary groups to desilt drains to promote environmental sanitation as part of efforts to improve public health.
The passion never waned and he on countless occasions expressed concern about the indiscriminate cutting of trees to construct concrete buildings and the failure of Ghanaians to embrace tree planting as an environmentally progressive policy.
President Rawlings passed away on Thursday November 12, 2020.
GNA
Edited by Linda Asante Agyei