Jerry John Rawlings was born in Accra on 22nd
June, 1947, to a Ghanaian mother from Dzelukope,
near Keta, in the Volta Region, and a Scottish
father.
He was educated at Achimota School where he
obtained his General Certificate of Education 'O'
Level in 1966. He enlisted as a Flight Cadet in the
Ghana Air Force in August, 1967, and was
subsequently selected for officer cadet training at
the Ghana Military Academy and Training School,
Teshie, in Accra.
In March, 1968, he was posted to Takoradi in the Western Region to continue his
course. He passed out in January, 1969, as a commissioned Pilot Officer. He won
the coveted "Speed Bird Trophy" as the best cadet in flying and airmanship. He
earned the rank of Flight-Lieutenant in April, 1978. He was an efficient officer with a
close rapport with his men.
During his service with the Ghana Air Force, he witnessed the deterioration of
discipline and morale, reflecting the corruption of the regime of the Supreme Military
Council (SMC) at that time. His awareness of the injustices in society was growing.
He was thus regarded with some unease by the SMC.
He read widely and discussed social and political ideas with a growing circle of likeminded friends and colleagues.
On May 28, 1979, President Rawlings, together with six others, appeared before a
General Court Martial in Accra, charged with leading a mutiny of junior officers and
men of the Ghana Armed Forces on 15th May, 1979. There was strong public
reaction, especially after his statement had been read in court, explaining the social
injustices that had prompted him to act. When an execution looked imminent he said,
"Leave my men alone. I take responsibility for the actions of my men.” This defence
and courage by President Rawlings is what sparked the special bond between him
Profile of President Jerry John Rawlings
Page 2 of 6
and the men, something never heard of from officers before. The ranks of the Armed
Forces, in particular, expressed deep sympathy with his stated aims and that
changed the course of history.
When he was scheduled for another court appearance on 4th June, 1979, President
Rawlings was sprung from custody. With the support of both military and civilians, he
led a revolt, which decisively ousted the Supreme Military Council from office and
brought the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC) into being.
The AFRC, under the chairmanship of President
Rawlings, carried out a "house-cleaning exercise"
aimed at purging the Armed Forces and society
at large of corruption and graft as well as
restoring a sense of moral responsibility and the
principles of accountability and probity in public
life.
Meanwhile, following the programme already set
in motion before the 4th June Uprising for civilian administration, general elections
were held. On 24th September, 1979, the AFRC handed over to the civilian
Government of the People's National Party (PNP) under President Hilla Limann.
On 31st December 1981, President Rawlings led a
section of the Armed Forces to overthrow the PNP
administration. A Provisional National Defence
Council (PNDC), composed of both civilian and
military members, was established, with President
Rawlings as the Chairman.
His interests include reading, building model aircraft,
horse riding and swimming. He is married to Nana
Konadu Agyeman Rawlings. They have four children - three girls and a boy.
President Rawlings ceased to be a member of the Ghana Armed Forces with effect
from September 14, 1992. He formed the National Democratic Congress, which
contested and won the 1992 Presidential and Parliamentary elections. He and the
party again won the 1996 elections. His term of office ended in the year 2000.
He is the joint recipient of the 1993 World Hunger Prize. He holds an Honorary
Doctor of Law Degree from Medgar Evers College, City University of New York and
Lincoln University Doctorate Degree for Diplomacy and Development.