I was five years old in 1979 and seven years old in 1981. Growing up from Odododiodoo I lived through abject poverty and learned to grapple with the harsh realities of a nation emerging through the combination of hardship and stress of life caused by internal and external forces controlling Ghana’s economy and political system. I lived through a period of queuing for ‘brodo’ (bread), yellow corn and rice to meet our family’s daily meals. Through it all, I saw a nation transforming from the era of hardships, the lost decade described of West African economies, to one in which peace and stability existed, probity and accountability prevailed and a vision for national development (VISION 2020) was set for Ghana. The vision laid the foundation for where we are today. And as the Almighty God will have it, we celebrate today the life of the architect of this vision—Chairman J.J Rawlings-who is lying in state as if to say, ‘Fellow Country Men and Women, I have fought a Good fight!.
I pay this glorious tribute, to share some lessons living through the era of President JJ Rawlings to build on the foundations he has helped Ghana laid in order to move into a glorious future.
JJ (as we young comrades have referred to him) is an epitome of a transitional leader. In an era of intergenerational transition such as what we have in Ghana and Africa, JJ’s philosophies, moral values and distinguished character of political leadership is a model to follow. JJ might not be a confucianist but he held similar philosophy that ‘the occupant of a political power must have a minimum moral value which underpins behaviors as he/she exercised that power as a noble service to the PEOPLE WHO GAVE IT OUT’. This is an extraordinary lesson for the prosecution of today’s democracy in Africa. In that JJ called for the placement of morality at the center of the occupancy of the power whether in the executive, legislature or judiciary. Hence JJ’s passionate plea for the adherence to the principles of probity and accountability.
JJ believed in justice and social equality. He believed in the true essence of human development and Sustainable Development Goals long before it was born by the United Nations (UN). As such he preached about leaving no one behind in any development policies when he served as an Envoy to Somalia and an eminent person for the UN volunteers Programme. Today the foundation that JJ laid to give every young Ghanaian a fair shot to excel and contribute to building Ghana is still alive. JJ was an architect of the Junior Secondary School (JSS) ideology modeled around the German typology.
Kinbu Experimental Junior Secondary School and Djorwulu Experimental Junior Secondary Schools (of which I was a graduate) were the laboratories that tested his ideas. We have departed from this. But the ideals would have served us well. Nurturing Ghanaians to have a balance of liberal thinking with doing. Matching talents with skills to stimulate entrepreneurship. This departure from the foundational philosophy of the essence of Junior Secondary School might truly hurt JJ as he looked on. And what a better time to correct this with great honor to his legacy as we celebrate his life achievements today.
JJ’s leadership philosophy is to serve the noble causes of the ordinary Ghanaian. In JJs heart there are no two different Ghanaians-those close to political echelons and ordinary ones who only sees politicians on the tv. Many young comrades remember Chairman Rawlings for the extension of his hands to them in extraordinary ways. Sometimes turning up to meet young comrades in unexpected places—Bukom, Kejetia, Kantamanto etc. And doing so by making you feel comfortable often with a ‘bad’ joke.
JJ believed in the patriotism of Ghanaians and what this patriotic spirit could do to build the nation. Today, JJs principles of hard work, discipline, focus and can-do mentality are needed to nurture and groom the youth who formed over 65% of Ghana’s and Africa’s population. A study of the embodiment of Rawlingsm as a leadership philosophy will benefit the cause of structuring a development path for harnessing demographic dividends for nation building.
JJ’s philosophy is epitomized in every way in the truth that ‘the power belongs to the people’! Political power is for the people, by the people and of the people! A high quality and free basic and high school education, wise use of borrowing, a tamed corruption, probity and accountability, making every Ghanaian count for a noble service are the ideals of RAWLINGSM! This is the heart of JJs philosophy; ensuring that Ghana is lead for the benefit of all and not the extremely minority few. Indeed, it is repugnant to claim JJs legacy and to be NEPOTISTIC in any leadership service to the nation.
Finally, a United country is JJs desire. He’s an enigma in this sense. We know him through revolutionary measures. His heart through the revolution is to equalize to unite. Therefore, one of his mantras for those who know him well is UNITY IS STRENGTH’. If we were to honor JJs legacy, we should make sure every Ghanaian is regarded as such and given whatever it takes to meet needs and aspirations for life. JJs legacy is clear! NO ROOM FOR WHOM YOU KNOW IDEOLOGY, NO ROOM FOR HYPOCRISY.
Love live the Legacy of JJ Rawlings, Long Live Ghana. And may God Bless our Homeland Ghana, making it Greater and Stronger.
Thank you.
Writer: Dr Ishmael Nii Amanor Dodoo, Diplomat and Human Development Practitioner
