The Honourable Burial of Jerry John Rawlings: I came to bury Caesar, not to praise him; ………”

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GHANA-The four days state burial of the former President of Ghana, Jerry John Rawlings, which commenced with a requiem mass ended yesterday as he was laid to rest at the new Military Cemetery at Burma Camp.

The burial service took place at the famous Black Star Square in Accra with some African Heads of states and diplomats in attendance as the capital city almost stood still and quiet. Many people across the country watched the burial service at home due to covid 19, although several mourners attended the event.

Dignitaries
Some key dignitaries include President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and the First Lady, Mrs Rebecca Akufo-Addo; the Vice-President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, and his wife, Mrs Samira Bawumia; and former Presidents John Agyekum Kufuor and John Dramani Mahama.
Foreign dignitaries that attended were the Chief of Staff at the Bureau of the Chairperson of the African Union (AU), Ambassador Abdoulaye Diop; the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Mr Jean Claude Kassi Brou; Liberian President, George Weah; the Prime Minister of Niger, Mr Brigi Rafini; President of Sierra Leone, Mr Julius Maada Bio; and a former Head of State of the Republic of Benin, Dr Yayi Boni.

Tributes
Tributes read by Amina Rawlings on behalf of the Widow, Former first lady, Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings moved many to tears including Amina who paused to shed tears.
“I was innocent and you were streetwise. There was so much I did not know and understand about the real-life outside the wings and home of Mr and Mrs J.O.T. Agyeman since I had lived a very protected life under their roof.” “I had to learn to understand how to be streetwise,” “…One to set the pace for our sub-region and continent, I dare say, we did not do a bad job, as you worked assiduously on State matters, I concentrated on empowering the women and improving the quality of life for them.
“Irrespective of their origins or creed, we were a team fighting to transform a collapsed state into one of potential prosperity for all. You did your best and I played my part in my own way,” she said.

Hon Zanetor also pays her last tribute to her late Father Jerry John Rawlings. Zanetor clarifies the meaning of her name and how it is pronounced.
Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings in a tribute said their names were chosen by their late father based on his pan-Africanist beliefs and the impact of names on a person’s life. An attribute of Ewes in the Volta Region as they are known to name children with meanings.

“She or he who is the earthly possessor of a warriors name is beholden to that name, you knew this, you did not name any of us after you to ensure we would discover our own purpose in our name sacred soul.” She stated.

She explained that Zanetor is an Ewe word/ name which means, ‘let the darkness seize’, giving to her when Ghana was going through a difficult time such as corruption and economic hardship
Also, her sister and the second child, Yaa Asantewaawaa was named “after Nana Yaa Asantewaa of Ejisu, the Queen mother and warrior of Ashanti who led her people to battle against the British colonialist after the King of the Asante Kingdom was in exile.
Amina Rawlings was also named after the warrior Queen Amina of Zaria in modern-day Nigeria.
And lastly, Kimathi, their brother named after Dedan Kimathi, a Mau Mau military and spiritual leader who also fought against the British colonial rulers leading to the independence struggle.

The President of Ghana read his tribute as he stated. “It was no secret that the relationship that existed between the two of us… was one of open animosity. We did not see eye to eye. However, with time, things changed. We came to see value in each other, and understood, to a very large degree, our respective perspectives. One thing we had in common was our mutual commitment to public service,” he stated.

Sermon
The Methodist Bishop of Accra, Rt. Rev. K. Osabutey preached the sermon and eulogised Rawlings. He started with words by Mark Anthony at Caesar’s funeral in William Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar:
“Friends, Romans, Countrymen;
I came to bury Caesar, not to praise him; ………”
Rt. Rev. K. Osabutey recognized Rawlings’ fervent sacrifices and the critical role he played in bringing democracy, enjoyed by all, and added that there is more to achieve.
“Jerry was a sinner who took a risk to attempt to right the wrongs of society as he perceived them. Being a sinner then, one can understand and forgive those excesses of a regime he led.
“As we reflect on his life and legacy, we should at least be thankful to God for the governance system we now all are enjoying,” he added.

Performances
There were musical performances by the mass choir, the National Symphony Orchestra, Military Regimental Band, the Police Band and a song administration from celebrities like Irene Logan and Joe Mettle.
The clergy, chiefs and the various traditional drummers and dancers across the country were in attendance.

Elsie Duncan-Williams, the daughter of renowned Reverend, Archbishop Nicholas Duncan-Williams of the Action Faith Chapel moved the widow and mourners to tears as she sang Ben E. Kings’s ‘Stand by me’. Her father Archbishop also prayed for the bereaved family.

Wreaths were laid by the widow, the children, the Regent of Anlo, Togbe Wenya on behalf of traditional leaders, Colonel Joshua Agbotui (retd) for and on behalf of the family, President Akufo-Addo on behalf of the government and the people of Ghana, The Chief of the Defence Staff, Lt General Obed Boamah Akwa on behalf of GAF, Mr Huudu Yahaya on representing the NDC, and the President of the ECOWAS Commission on behalf of the ECOWAS Commission and the AU.

Rawlings was an accomplished pilot with the Ghana Air Force and known to fly helicopters and aircraft across the country. Helicopters were seen flying to and fro during his burial service by the Ghana Air Force as last respect to the legend. His simple casket covered with the national flag was mounted on a gun carriage on a cortege followed by mourners to his last resting place.

Burial
At the graveside at new Military Cemetery at Burma Camp, the casket was blessed by the Bishop of the Keta-Akatsi Diocese of the Catholic Church, the Most Rev. Gabriel Edoe-Kumordji, and lowered into the grave amid tears.
There was a three-volley salute as well as a 21-gun salute, a display of a riderless horse signifying loss, and an insignia presented to Kimathi Agyeman Rawlings by the Director of Religious Affairs of the GAF.

Rawlings
Rawlings, 73 years, and founder of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), a political party, ruled for a combined period of 19 years, the longest by any leader in the country. He was an inspiration to all with a heart that radiated true love. He was an honest man who admitted his mistakes during his reign and fought to guide many to avoid making the same. He was a gentle soul who used his charisma to impact lives. The legend lives on!