Presidents of various African countries are pouring in their tributes to mourn former President of Ghana, Jerry John Rawlings.
John Agyekum Kufuor, Ghana’s third president of the 4th Republic mourned his late colleague in a Twitter post asking for his peaceful rest.
REST IN PEACE JERRY JOHN RAWLINGS
— John Agyekum Kufuor (@JohnAKufuor) November 12, 2020
The government of the Republic of Liberia has expressed its condolences to the people of Ghana.
Its President, George Weah in commiserating with Ghana said the continent will miss a great leader.
On behalf of the government and people of the Republic of Liberia, and in my own name, I wish to convey deepest and profound sympathy to the government and people of Ghana, the Rawlings family and the entire Africa for the death of a great statesman, Former President….. pic.twitter.com/HoGxb1owRP
— George Weah (@GeorgeWeahOff) November 12, 2020
As we mourn his death, I commiserate with President @NAkufoAddo and our Ghanaian brothers and sisters. It is my prayer that God will grant President Rawlings eternal rest — as we all take solace in his achievements and contributions to the development of a more united continent.
— Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki (@bukolasaraki) November 12, 2020
Ghana’s Northern neighbour, Burkina Faso, Roch Marc Christian Kaboré has also described Rawlings’ demise as a big loss to Africa.
“It is with sadness that I learned of the passing of former President of Ghana John Jerry Rawlings.
With its disappearance, Africa loses a Pan-Africanist and Ghana a man of conviction, a patriot who has been able to put his country back on the path of growth and democracy”, Burkina Faso President said in a tweet.
C’est avec tristesse que j’ai appris le décès de l’ancien Président du Ghana John Jerry Rawlings.
Avec sa disparition, l’Afrique perd un panafricaniste et le Ghana un homme de conviction, un patriote qui a su remettre son pays sur le chemin de la croissance et de la démocratie.RK— Roch KABORE (@rochkaborepf) November 12, 2020
Meanwhile, other international officials have also sent in their well-wishes to the bereaved family.
It’s very sad to hear of the passing of #Ghana’s former President JJ Rawlings. I was fortunate enough to interact with him on several memorable occasions throughout my years in Accra.
My deepest condolences to Nana Konadu, Zenator and all the Rawlings family.#RIPJerryRawlings pic.twitter.com/wI4BUAan6Q
— (((Jon Benjamin))) ⚒🇬🇧🏴🇨🇱🇬🇭✡️ (@JonBenjamin19) November 12, 2020
Reading news that former President Rawlings has passed.
The time for reflections will follow on this towering figure of Ghanaian life. For now, all my thoughts are with his family and loved ones.
May he rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/KORpkzRFpJ
— Iain Walker 🇬🇧🇬🇭🇹🇬🇧🇯🇧🇫🚲 (@walkeriain) November 12, 2020
Jerry John Rawlings died in the early hours of Thursday, November 12, 2020, at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital.
The news was confirmed to Citi News by sources close to the bereaved family.
Citi News sources said the former President has been unwell for the past few weeks shortly after he buried his late mother, Madam Victoria Agbotui in October 2020.