Ghana bids farewell to former president Jerry Rawlings | All media content | DW | 26.01.2021

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Africa

Ghana bids farewell to former president Jerry Rawlings

More than two months after his passing, Ghana is granting a state funeral to the late leader.

  • Ghana state funeral of Jerry John Rawlings

    Remembering a leader

    A photograph of the late former Ghanaian President Jerry John Rawlings is displayed at the Accra International Conference Center, where Rawlings is lying in state. The former president died on November 12 at the age of 73. His funeral was originally scheduled for December 23, however, it was postponed, with the foreign ministry citing "unforeseen circumstances."

  • An elderly woman waits in a queue during the lay in state of former Ghana President Jerry John Rawlings in Accra

    Waiting to pay respects

    Amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, mourners who wish to pay their final respects to Rawlings are being asked to respect social distancing measures and wear face masks. On Tuesday, January 26, Ghana's president and vice president, along with high-ranking members of the judiciary and legislature, will be invited to say their final goodbyes before the burial service on Wednesday.

  • Staff of the former Ghana President Jerry John Rawlings sing at the lay in state in Accra, Ghana

    Saying goodbye in song

    Rawlings' former staff come together and sing outside the Accra International Conference Center during the lay in state. Rawlings held political sway over Ghana for two decades: First as a military leader from 1981 until 1993 and then as president until 2001. A left-wing populist-turned-free-market-economist, Rawlings became a major figure in West Africa, as well as a symbol of pan-Africanism.

  • A military officer stands guard at the lay in state of the former Ghana President Jerry John Rawlings in Accra

    Standing guard

    A military officer stands guard at the lay in state. Soldiers are already patroling Independence Square in Accra, where the funeral will be held. The organization of Rawlings's funeral quickly turned political: He has a right to a state funeral, however, the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) party demanded it be involved — despite Rawlings's very public split from the party in 2009.

  • People wait to take their turn at the lay in state of the late former Ghana President Jerry John Rawlings at the Accra International Conference center

    A complicated legacy

    People wait to take their turn at the lay in state of the late former Ghana President Jerry John Rawlings at the Accra International Conference center. Many political figures and traditional leaders are at odds over Rawlings's legacy, however, he was long widely considered a voice for the poor.


  • Ghana state funeral of Jerry John Rawlings

    Remembering a leader

    A photograph of the late former Ghanaian President Jerry John Rawlings is displayed at the Accra International Conference Center, where Rawlings is lying in state. The former president died on November 12 at the age of 73. His funeral was originally scheduled for December 23, however, it was postponed, with the foreign ministry citing "unforeseen circumstances."

  • An elderly woman waits in a queue during the lay in state of former Ghana President Jerry John Rawlings in Accra

    Waiting to pay respects

    Amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, mourners who wish to pay their final respects to Rawlings are being asked to respect social distancing measures and wear face masks. On Tuesday, January 26, Ghana's president and vice president, along with high-ranking members of the judiciary and legislature, will be invited to say their final goodbyes before the burial service on Wednesday.

  • Staff of the former Ghana President Jerry John Rawlings sing at the lay in state in Accra, Ghana

    Saying goodbye in song

    Rawlings' former staff come together and sing outside the Accra International Conference Center during the lay in state. Rawlings held political sway over Ghana for two decades: First as a military leader from 1981 until 1993 and then as president until 2001. A left-wing populist-turned-free-market-economist, Rawlings became a major figure in West Africa, as well as a symbol of pan-Africanism.

  • A military officer stands guard at the lay in state of the former Ghana President Jerry John Rawlings in Accra

    Standing guard

    A military officer stands guard at the lay in state. Soldiers are already patroling Independence Square in Accra, where the funeral will be held. The organization of Rawlings's funeral quickly turned political: He has a right to a state funeral, however, the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) party demanded it be involved — despite Rawlings's very public split from the party in 2009.

  • People wait to take their turn at the lay in state of the late former Ghana President Jerry John Rawlings at the Accra International Conference center

    A complicated legacy

    People wait to take their turn at the lay in state of the late former Ghana President Jerry John Rawlings at the Accra International Conference center. Many political figures and traditional leaders are at odds over Rawlings's legacy, however, he was long widely considered a voice for the poor.


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