Former Ghanaian President Jerry Rawlings dies, at the age of 73
Ghana's President, Nana Akufo Addo, announced today, Thursday. Former leader Jerry Rawlings dies, at age 73. Adding that "a giant tree has fallen."
The statement said Rollings died "after a short period of illness". But he did not provide further details.
Rawlings was charismatic by taking a firm stand against corruption. He ruled the West African country between 1981 and 2001.
The presidency declared the country to mourn for seven days, with flags at half-mast.
Rawlings led a brief military uprising in 1979, but then handed over power to a civilian government. However, he staged a coup again years later.
The son of a Scottish father and a Ghanaian mother, Rawlings ran in a Democratic election. He won it twice, and stepped down from power in 2001.
And Bloomberg News reported that despite his access to power through a military coup. He is credited with laying the foundation for a democratic system that has become among the most stable and competitive in Africa.
After his death was announced, fellow leaders took to Twitter to praise him. The President of Liberia, George Weah, described him as a "great statesman."
