The Government has declared seven days of national mourning following the death of former President, Jerry John Rawlings.
Additionally, flags across the country are also to be flown at half-mast.
These presidential orders are to take effect from tomorrow, Friday, November 13, 2020, to Friday, November 20, 2020.
In a statement, the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo also said he together with his Vice President have also suspended all political campaigns during the same period.
“I have directed that all national flags should fly at half-mast for the next seven (7) days in all parts of the country, and have declared seven days of national mourning from Friday, 13th November to Friday, 20th November. In honour of the memory of former President Rawlings, the Vice President and I have suspended our political campaigns for same period”, the statement announced.
Meanwhile, President Akufo-Addo on behalf of Ghanaians expressed his deepest condolences to the bereaved family assuring them of collaborating with them to have a befitting funeral ceremony held for the ex-stateman.
“A great tree has fallen, and Ghana is poorer for this loss. May his soul rest in perfect peace in the bosom of the Almighty until the Last Day of the Resurrection when we shall meet again. Amen!”, Nana Addo further eulogized.
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.
Already, Presidents of various African countries are pouring in their tributes to mourn the former President.
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
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.
