It is a solemn mood in Kumasi as news of the death of the former president Jerry John Rawlins spreads through the Ashanti regional capital.
A scan around the Central Business District of Kumasi is a picture of people either gathered around their radio sets or standing in groups discussing his death.
The former president’s charisma is not lost on the region although some will still refer him to brutalities their relatives suffered under the revolution regime under his watch.
A tabletop cosmetics seller indicated, “His death reminds me of the sad passing of my brother who died when he was off duty and JJ asked him to report to one Flight Lieutenant Larby Adams some 18 years ago. That was his end so it’s sad he is dead though but today Rawlins is also gone.”
A second-hand clothes dealer close to the Adum Post Office who gave her name as Cynthia was clearly morose sitting by her radio set listening to the commentary on the death of the former president.
She told reporter Ivan Heathcote – Fumador, upon everything Rawlings was my mentor. I will remember him for his sense of humour. Especially when he told Anita Desoso he didn’t like ladies who bleached their skins.”
Another trader who was saddened by the news recounted, “When I completed high school in 1992, Rawlings’ firstborn who was my cousin’s classmate in Achimota had also completed high school. So I saw him and his wife on visiting days.”
She added, “I got closest to J .J. once at Odorkor in the year 1992 when he was contesting for the presidency against Adu Boahen on one of his campaign tours.”
A security man Benjamin Agyemang recalled his days in the 1980s when Jerry John Rawlings enrolled him as a young man for militia training as part of the CDR Cadres School.
“The man has been good to me. It’s through that training I obtained a certificate to work as a security man. His wife has also taken me to Cuba before. Since I heard the news, I have been shaken and very disturbed,” he lamented.
The Former President Flt. Lt. Jerry John Rawlings died at the age of 73 at the Cardiothoracic Centre of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital in the early hours of Thursday, 12th November, 2020.
By: Ivan Heathcote – Fumador
