The Late President Rawlings
Barely 48 hours ago, the nation, united in purpose, buried a statesman extraordinaire.
Jerry John Rawlings had been thrice Head of State of Ghana, under both military and civilian dispensation, and lived some 20 years after he exited serious and official political life.
Little wonder that he was a known name and face, and wielded huge influence on our socio-political landscape.
Unanimous verdict
Children, youth, market women, academia, sportsmen and women and rank and file Ghanaians are unanimous in their estimation of him as true leader and statesman.
Of course, there are those who had axes to grind with him, including members of the party which they now admit he founded. But who on earth hasn’t got enemies or opponents?
Unique breed
That he was a unique breed of human species was evident in the elaborate programme for his burial, which attracted high, low, privileged and under-privileged persons from all walks of life.
For four whole days, at least, we witnessed an event that clouded and overshadowed every political or cultural event in Ghana – including the highly controversial Supreme Court election petition proceedings.
So striking was his personality that both his party and his ethnic community preferred to lead in seeing him off, against all official protocols.
Unifier
By a twist of circumstances and, despite the attempt to smear his character on the eve of his exit, it turned out that God was preparing him for his journey home as a star who would guide the nation, especially the major political actors who are the New Patriotic Party and the National Democratic Congress, to put aside their differences and unite in the interest of Mother Ghana.
As we would admit, the hallowed funeral event proved that gradually we are all waking up to the fact that we are Ghanaians, instead of Akans and Ewes; Konkombas and Nanumbas; and Gas and Dagombas.
More importantly, the event, which could have torn the nation apart, had it not been wisely managed, has proved to all that in matters such as that which had confronted us, neutrality and consensus, as well as propriety, are key ingredients in good governance.
Statesmen
It is also instructive to hear that in very recent times, Jerry Rawlings’ cold banter with colleague statesman John Agyekum Kufour had thawed even before he exited, as was also the fact that President Akufo-Addo bent over backwards in ensuring that all courtesies due the late President were dutifully extended – and even more.
These are huge lessons for all of us to learn, particularly the youth who have become afflicted with the barking dogs’ syndrome and to whom the future of Ghana belongs.
To see Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, John Kufuor and dignitaries on both divides united in paying tribute to a colleague in one language and verdict, in the opinion of the Daily Statesman, is admission that, at last, we have found common grounds to co-exist – regardless of our political colours and organisational philosophies.
From our religious communities through traditional leaders to civil society actors, the lessons are that it is imperative that we latch onto our national grief to strive to be each other’s keeper.
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