The late former President, Flight Lieutenant Jerry John Rawlings has been appreciated with a giant-size statue in his hometown called – Keta-Dzelukope in the Volta Region. The unveiling ceremony occurring on Tuesday, 7th January, 2025; bringing together leading members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) like Johnson Asiedu Nketia – Chairman of the NDC, family members including Kimathi Rawlings and other supporters of the late statesman, was basically to serve as a remembrance of the Former President’s achievements and contributions towards Ghana’s gain grounds.
Jerry was honored and credited with this statue as a result of his leadership, contributions in guiding Ghana through economic recovery, restoration of national pride, strengthening multi-party democracy and also playing key roles in regional peace efforts in Ghana and Africa at large. For instance, it was known that he served as an African Union Envoy to Somalia during his administration as a President.
Over the past, Rawlings has been known as a Ghanaian military officer, aviator and a politician who led the country Ghana in 1979 and then to 1981 and finally to 2001. He led this country in a military regime, until 1993 where in his two-term, he was democratically elected as a President of Ghana. He was known to have been the longest and first President of the fourth Republic to serve Ghana, for 19years.
His administration or era implemented several structural programs for the state including; expansion and construction of modern regional hospitals to enhance access to medical services, fostering of educational development, where he introduced policies that allowed more polytechnics and private universities to also be established. Again, he reunited thousands of Ghanaians who were expelled from Nigeria and provided them shelter and support in terms of finance, during their resettlement.
For that reason, a statue was mounted in memory of him, to symbolize his legacy, contributions, ideas, resilience towards Ghana’s political history and to serve as a historical marker in reminding the public and future generations of his significant impact.