The former president of Ghana, Jerry John Rawlings, has died at the age of 73.
This was confirmed to Citi News by sources close to the family of the former President.
He died in the early hours of Thursday, November 12, 2020.
Jerry John Rawlings buried his mother Madam Victoria Agbotui in October 2020.
Madam Agbotui died at the age of 101.
The former leader who seized power twice via military coups was admitted to the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital in Ghana’s capital, Accra, last week after suffering from a brief illness, state-owned newspaper Daily Graphic reported on its website.
Rawlings was born in Accra in June 1947, to a Ghanaian mother and a Scottish father.
He came to global prominence in 1979 when, as an army lieutenant, he ousted General Frederick Akuffo as president.
Rawlings relinquished power soon after, handing over to civilian rule, but orchestrated another coup two years later, citing corruption and weak leadership within the government.
He was a former military leader and subsequent politician who ruled Ghana from 1981 to 2001 and also a brief period in 1979.
