(Video): J. J Rawlings goes home today
The final funeral rite of former President JJ Rawlings is ongoing at the black star square in Accra.
President Akufo-Addo, Liberia President, George Weah, and Sierra Leone, President Julius Maada Bio, former president Mahama are all in attendance.
Prior to this, a Catholic Requiem Mass and a vigil were held in his honor on Sunday, January 24th, followed by a 2-day Laying-In-State ceremony at the Accra International Conference Center for dignitaries and the general public to file past.
The late President will be buried at the Military cemetery in Accra after the government and his family reached an agreement on the location of his burial.
Mr. Rawlings died on November 12, 2020, at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra.
Tribute To His Excellency Jerry John Rawlings, Ex-President of Ghana
Oh! Oh! Oh! Your Excellency Jerry John Rawlings, affectionately called or referred to as J.J, Jerry, Papa J, Junior Jesus, Nuumueh, by most Ghanaians. I am honestly struggling to believe you have indeed left us at a time when we are beginning to love and enjoy you the more in your old age
You were simply an embodiment of empathy for the vulnerable and ordinary masses, the fight against injustice and inequity, and for fairness, patriotism to a fault, probity and accountability, kindness, warmth, integrity, diligence, great charisma, discipline, humility, self-confidence, respect for fellow humans, and inspiration, among other positive attributes.
You certainly must have made a lot of enemies as a direct consequence of the above combination of attributes, but I bet with my last pesewa, that you have passed on leaving at least 80% of Ghanaians who loved and adored you in terrible pain and shock, shattered by your sudden and expected demise.
I believe for quite a number of us who were at least in our late teens when you burst unto the Ghanaian political scene, your positive attributes, as stated above, positively influenced our mindset, and lit a flame within us that continues to burn, and has undeniably shaped our perspectives towards life and country.
Ghana certainly owes you so much for so many reasons, and because we cannot pay you for your contribution to our dear motherland, we can only say God richly bless you, rest in perfect peace, may your great soul continue to live on, and may you forever be remembered.
We will miss you terribly, Papa J, and we will continue to keep you in our hearts. We salute you!
Ernest Teye-Topey
Executive Director
Foundation for Behavioural & Attitudinal Change, (FOBAC) Ghana