Last week, one of Africa’s greatest leaders of the 20th century, former President Jerry John Rawlings, suddenly passed on. The news sent shockwaves across the world. I wrote a special tribute to a man who meant so much to many of us and was hoping to continue this week, but I chose to focus on our visit to Rivers State partly because I am hampered by being away without access to our activities, which I hope to achieve by next week when we return to base.
It was a great honour and privilege for me to travel to Ghana last week and was able to sign a condolence register opened by the government of Ghana at the International Conference Centre in Accra. Last Monday. This brought me closer to the realisation that we’ve indeed lost the great giant of a man, an icon, and a legend.
The story of Jerry John Rawlings, the much celebrated, flying, dashing, charismatic, astute, dynamic intelligent, witty Ghanaian military officer, politician, leader and statesman, of Scottish descent, is a compelling and gripping one, especially for young Africans who may not know why he’s being celebrated globally. It must be told repeatedly, over and over again.
Please, stay tuned for a story like no other.
