Anlo family demands body of Rawlings for special rituals; Gov't goes on as 4-day national burial begins
- Tributes have been pouring in from Parliament for former president Rawlings
- The funeral rites of Jerry Rawlings begins from Sunday January 24 to Wednesday, January 27
- Asafo groups of the late former President are demanding the release of his body to Anlo
The late former President Rawlings is an institution whose values will continue to define the nation. That’s the minority leader in parliament, Haruna Iddrisu paying tribute to the late leader who died on November 12 last year.
Regarded as Ghana’s longest serving political leader, the late president born in June, 1947 died after a short illness at the Kole Bu teaching hospital.
He ruled the country from 1981 to 2001 and also for a brief period in 1979. He led a military junta until 1992, and then served two terms as the democratically elected President of Ghana.
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Minority leader Haruna Iddrisu who led a tribute in the house said the country must continue to hold the legacy and values of the former leader.
“Jerry Rawlings will always be that institution of probity and accountability and I believe the country will forever hold true his values and ideals,” he stated in his tribute on the floor of Parliament.
Also, Member of Parliament for Essikado Ketan, Joe Ghartey and his colleague MP of Bawku West Cletus Avoka "believes the passion, discipline and moral strength that the former Ghanaian leader employed to reposition Ghana over many years" would "continue to reverberate across the continent and beyond.
Meanwhile, the Asafo groups and families of the late former President Jerry John Rawlings are demanding the release of his body to Anlo for the necessary rituals to be done before he is buried. The group petitioned the government through the Awadada of Anlo Torgbui Agbedi Awusu. They were led by their Spokesperson for the regent Torgbui Tamekloe, Mawuli Kplorfia.
If there is anything to know about Jerry Rawlings before his passing, it is the fact that he had some deep regrets.
General overseer of one of Ghana's largest Charismatic churches, Nicholas Duncan Williams has asked that the "deep regrets" of the late originator of the Fourth Republic be forgiven.
The relationship between the Late Former President and Nicholas Duncan Williams has been rich and much closer over the years from his Military rule through to the Fourth Republic.
From the firing of military officers to the jaw dropping killings and abduction of about 300 Ghanaians, the pastor explained the Late Former President shared various regretful experiences with him.
Rawlings’ death has seen the clergy of Ghana bring in their tributes. Founder of the International Central Gospel Church (ICGC), Mensa Otabil, took time off his sermon on Sunday to pray for the family of the late former president, Flt. Lt. Jerry Rawlings.
The clergy has been on the receiving end of criticism from the late president who on various occasions has chided them for their contribution to corruption in the country.
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Already, thousands of tributes have been pouring in commiseration with the Rawlings family. The book of condolence will also open to the public at the Accra International Conference Center with the president and other diplomats expected in the early days of the week.
Jerry Rawlings died after contracting the Coronavirus, The former president, according to medical officers suffered Covid-19 complications. His death also sparked various rumours over his widow contracting the virus - claims of which have been denied.
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Source: YEN.com.gh
