Former Ghanaian President Jerry John Rawlings is dead.
Former Ghanaian President Jerry John Rawlings is dead, Jomog News Nigeria reports.
He reportedly died of coronavirus-related complications at the age of 73, according to multiple reports from Ghanaian media.
His death came less than a month after he buried his mother.
The former President died on Thursday at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra.
Born on June 22, 1947, the former military leader ruled Ghana from 1981 to 2001.
He initially came to power in Ghana as a flight lieutenant of the Ghana Air Force following a coup d’état in 1979.
Prior to that, he led an unsuccessful coup attempt against the ruling military government on 15 May 1979, just five weeks before scheduled democratic elections were due to take place.
A former Nigerian Presidential candidate and media mogul, Dele Momodu, who has close links to the Ghanaian Presidency, confirmed the development on Twitter.
“The saddest news of this year. My God. Former President Jerry John Rawlings of Ghana has passed on. I’m completely devastated. Good night, an African hero.”
The saddest news of this year, my GOD, former PRESIDENT JERRY JOHN RAWLINGS of Ghana has passed on; I'm completely devasted! Good night, an African hero… RIP.
— Dele Momodu Ovation (@DeleMomodu) November 12, 2020
He was until his death, the African Union envoy to Somalia.
