Misplaced Pages

#590409

62-734: The formation of the Democratic Freedom Party was announced in February, 2006 by Dr. Obed Asamoah, former chairman of the National Democratic Congress, as a viable third party alternative to the National Democratic Congress and the New Patriotic Party. This follows a split between a Rawlings faction and an Asamoah faction within the NDC. The founding members include former leading members of

124-443: A 20,000 Cedis (about $ 400) cap on campaign contributions, which made national publicity of opposition parties virtually impossible. Rawlings himself began campaigning before the official unbanning of political parties and had access to state resources and was able to effectively meet all monetary demands required of a successful campaign. Rawlings travelled across the country, initiating public-works projects and giving public employees

186-596: A 60% pay rise prior to election day. Opposition parties objected to the election results, citing incidences of vote stuffing in regions where Rawlings was likely to lose and rural areas with scant populations, as well as a bloated voters' register and a partisan electoral commission. However, the Commonwealth Observer Group , led by Sir Ellis Clarke , approved of the election as "free and fair", as there were very few issues at polling stations and no major incidences of voter coercion. In contrast,

248-415: A coup against the government of General Fred Akuffo , but failed and were arrested by the military . Rawlings was publicly sentenced to death in a General Court Martial and imprisoned, although his statements on the social injustices that motivated his actions won him civilian sympathy. While awaiting execution, Rawlings was sprung from custody on Monday, 4 June 1979 by a group of soldiers. Claiming that

310-583: A coup in January 1972. Acheampong was accused not only of corruption, but also of maintaining Ghana's dependency on pre-colonial powers, in a situation which led to economic decline and impoverishment. Rawlings was part of the Free Africa Movement, an underground movement of military officers who wanted to unify Africa through a series of coups. On Tuesday, 15 May 1979, five weeks prior to civilian elections, Rawlings and six other soldiers staged

372-435: A junta publicly ends its obviously military features but continues its dominance. For example, the junta may terminate the martial law , forgo military uniforms in favor of civilian attire, "colonize" government with former military officers, and make use of political parties or mass organizations. "Indirect rule" involves the junta's exertion of concealed, behind-the-scenes control over a civilian puppet . Indirect rule by

434-534: A military strongman is ruled by a single dictator. The study found that (1) "strongmen and military regimes are more likely to commit human rights abuses and become embroiled in civil wars than are civilian dictatorships"; (2) "military strongmen start more international wars than either military regimes or civilian dictators, perhaps because they have more reason to fear postouster exile, prison, or assassination" and (3) military regimes and civilian dictatorships are more likely to end in democratization , in contrast to

496-428: A more independent Supreme Court and the publication of independent newspapers. Opposition parties operated outside of parliament and held rallies and press conferences. Given the various issues with the 1992 elections, the 1996 elections were a great improvement in terms of electoral oversight. Voter registration was re-compiled, with close to 9.2 million voters registering at nearly 19,000 polling stations, which

558-529: A presidential candidate in 2000. Rawlings served as the African Union envoy to Somalia . He died in 2020 at age 73 and was accorded a state funeral . Rawlings is seen as a transformative leader in the history of Ghana, and is credited with leading the country through economic recovery and returning national pride to the country, along with turning Ghana into a multi-party democracy. Rawlings has been described as one of Ghana's greatest leaders, and as

620-437: A result of a coup d'état . The junta may either formally take power as the nation's governing body, with the power to rule by decree , or may wield power by exercising binding (but informal) control over a nominally civilian government. These two forms of junta rule are sometimes called open rule and disguised rule . Disguised rule may take the form of either civilianization or indirect rule . Civilianization occurs when

682-713: A seven-day period of mourning in his honor and flags flown at half-mast. His family members appealed to the Government of Ghana to bury him in Keta in the Volta Region . A schedule for the signing of a book of condolence was opened in his memory. His funeral, originally planned for 23 December 2020, was postponed at the request of his family. From 24 to 27 January 2021, funeral ceremonies were organised at Accra in Rawlings' memory. A requiem mass for Jerry Rawlings

SECTION 10

#1732793586591

744-658: A tour of the country. He was especially interested in the Ghanaian origins of the Maroon people. Rawlings delivered lectures at universities, including Oxford University in England. Rawlings continued his heavy support for NDC. In July 2019, he went on a three-day working trip to Burkina Faso in the capacity of Chairman of the Thomas Sankara Memorial Committee. In September 2019, he paid

806-638: A tribute on behalf of the president and people of Ghana, when he led a delegation to the funeral of Robert Mugabe , the late former president of Zimbabwe . Rawlings died on 12 November 2020 at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra, a week after having been admitted for a "short term illness" in Ghana. According to some reports, his death was caused by complications from COVID-19 . His death came nearly two months after that of his mother, Victoria Agbotui, on 24 September 2020. President Nana Akufo-Addo declared

868-719: Is scheduled to hold its first congress in March 2008 in the lead up to presidential and parliamentary elections due in December 2008. The DFP candidate, Emmanuel Ansah-Antwi came fifth with 0.33% of the total votes in the Ghanaian presidential election in December 2008. In late 2011, the DFP appeared to be backing the New Patriotic Party in preparation for the December 2012 general elections. In October 2011 however, it

930-472: The Ghana Air Force following a coup d'état in 1979. Prior to that, he led an unsuccessful coup attempt against the ruling military government on Tuesday, 15 May 1979, just five weeks before scheduled democratic elections were due to take place. After handing power over to a civilian government, he overthrew the democratically elected Government through a military coup on Thursday, 31 December 1981 as

992-484: The International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) issued a report supporting claims that erroneous entries in voter registration could have affected election results. The Carter Center did acknowledge minor electoral issues but did not see these problems as indicative of systematic electoral fraud. Opposition parties boycotted subsequent Ghana parliamentary and presidential elections, and

1054-586: The Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC) military junta as the official government. Rawlings hosted state visits from "revolutionaries" from other countries, including Dési Bouterse ( Suriname ), Daniel Ortega ( Nicaragua ), and Sam Nujoma ( Namibia ). More famously, Rawlings reversed Limann's boycott of Gaddafi's Libya , allowing the Black Stars to compete in the 1982 African Cup of Nations . The team won

1116-719: The "transcendent African political figure of his generation". Rawlings was born as Jerry Rawlings John on Sunday, 22 June 1947 in Accra , Ghana, to Victoria Agbotui, an Anlo Ewe from Dzelukope , Keta , and James Ramsey John, a British chemist from Castle Douglas in Kirkcudbrightshire, Scotland. Rawlings attended Achimota School and a military academy at Teshie. Rawlings was married to Nana Konadu Agyeman , whom he met while at Achimota College . They had three daughters: Zanetor Rawlings , Yaa Asantewaa Rawlings, Amina Rawlings; and one son, Kimathi Rawlings. Junior Agogo

1178-513: The AFCON trophy for the fourth time, their last win as of 2022. Although the PNDC claimed to be representative of the people, it lacked experience in the creation and implementation of clear economic policies. Rawlings, like many of his predecessors, attributed current economic and social problems to the "trade malpractices and other anti-social activities" of a few businesspeople. In December 1982,

1240-582: The Committees for the Defence of the Revolution (CDRs), Commando Units, 31 December Women's Organization, the 4 June movement, Peoples Militias, and Mobisquads, and operated on a system of popular control through intimidation. Rawlings held a monopoly over national media, and was able to censor print and electronic media through a PNDC newspaper licensing decree, PNDC Law 221. Moreover, Rawlings imposed

1302-463: The Middle East . Vol. 42, No. 2, 2022, pp. 532–537. DOI 10.1215/1089201X09988009. Military junta List of forms of government A military junta ( / ˈ h ʊ n t ə , ˈ dʒ ʌ n t ə / ) is a system of government led by a committee of military leaders. The term junta means "meeting" or "committee" and originated in the national and local junta organized by

SECTION 20

#1732793586591

1364-464: The NDC such as Dr. Obed Asamoah , immediate past chairman of the NDC and also a former attorney general and foreign minister in the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC) and NDC governments among others. There are other founding members from the Nkrumahist tradition as well. On June 29, 2006, Dr. Obed Asamoah stated that the party was aware of the expectations of the Ghanaian people to see

1426-543: The National Treasurer of the party, claimed that the merger was not based on a consensus by the party. The DFP was formed to provide Ghanaians with an alternative to the NPP and NDC. The party aimed to swallow the floating votes in the country based on the idea that current policies in the country are not beneficial to the majority of the Ghanaian people. Dr. Obed Asamoah stated in an interview on June 5, 2008, that it

1488-452: The PNDC announced its four-year economic program of establishing a state monopoly on export-import trade with the goal of eliminating corruption surrounding import licences and shift trade away from dependency on Western markets. Unrealistic price controls were imposed on the market and enforced through coercive acts, especially against businesspeople. This resolve to employ state control over

1550-497: The Spanish resistance to Napoleon's invasion of Spain in 1808. The term is now used to refer to an authoritarian form of government characterized by oligarchic military dictatorship , as distinguished from other categories of authoritarian rule, specifically strongman (autocratic military dictatorships); machine (oligarchic party dictatorships); and bossism (autocratic party dictatorships). A junta often comes to power as

1612-778: The chairman of the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC). In 1992, Rawlings resigned from the military, founded the National Democratic Congress (NDC), and became the first president of the Fourth Republic. Rawlings brokered a ceasefire in 1995 during the First Liberian Civil War . He was re-elected in 1996 for four more years. After two terms in office, the limit according to the Ghanaian Constitution , Rawlings endorsed his vice-president John Atta Mills as

1674-585: The coveted "Speed Bird Trophy" as the best cadet in flying the Su-7 ground attack supersonic jet aircraft as he was skilled in aerobatics. He earned the rank of flight lieutenant in April 1978. During his service with the Ghana Air Force , Rawlings perceived a deterioration in discipline and morale due to corruption in the Supreme Military Council (SMC). As promotion brought him into contact with

1736-473: The document to allow him to run for a third term in 2000 . He retired in 2001 and was succeeded by John Agyekum Kufuor , his main rival and opponent in 1996. It was the first time in Ghanaian history that a sitting government peacefully transferred power to an elected member of the opposition. Kufuor won the presidency after defeating Rawlings' vice-president John Atta Mills in a runoff in 2000. In 2004, Mills conceded to Kufuor after another election between

1798-460: The economy is best demonstrated by the destruction of the Makola No.1 Market . The PNDC established Workers' Defence Committees (WDCs) and People's Defence Committees (PDCs) to mobilize the population to support radical changes to the economy. Price controls on the sale of food were beneficial to urban workers, but placed undue burden on 70% of the rural population whose income largely depended on

1860-544: The elections. Despite some fears of electoral violence, the election was peaceful and had a 78% turnout rate, and was successful with only minor problems such as an inadequate supply of ink and parliamentary ballots. The two major contenders of the 1996 election were Rawlings' NDC, and John Kufuor 's Great Alliance, an amalgamation of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the People's Convention Party (PCP). The Great Alliance based their platform on ousting Rawlings, and attacked

1922-426: The execution by firing squad of eight military officers, including Generals Kotei, Joy Amedume, Roger Felli, and Utuka, as well as the three former Ghanaian heads of state; Acheampong, Akuffo, and Akwasi Afrifa . These executions were dramatic events in the history of Ghana , which had previously suffered few instances of political violence. Rawlings later implemented a much wider "house-cleaning exercise" involving

Democratic Freedom Party - Misplaced Pages Continue

1984-680: The government became known as the Fourth Republic of Ghana . Rawlings established the Economic Recovery Program (ERP) suggested by the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund in 1982 due to the poor state of the economy after 18 months of attempting to govern it through administrative controls and mass mobilization. The policies implemented caused a dramatic currency devaluation,

2046-583: The government was corrupt beyond redemption and that new leadership was required for Ghana's development, he led the group in a coup to oust the Akuffo Government and Supreme Military Council. Shortly afterwards, Rawlings established and became the Chairman of a 15-member Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC), primarily composed of junior officers. He and the AFRC ruled for 112 days and arranged

2108-576: The head of the national police or other key bodies. Political scientist Samuel Finer , writing in 1988, noted that juntas in Latin America tended to be smaller than juntas elsewhere; the median junta had 11 members, while Latin American juntas typically had three or four. "Corporate" military coups have been distinguished from "factional" military coups. The former are carried out by the armed forces as an institution, led by senior commanders at

2170-465: The importance of creating jobs to employ the Ghanaian youth: “my interest is in the youth and I want to lead this country so that each and everyone could meet their physiological needs — food, shelter and clothing.” Mr. Ansah Antwi was also critical of the socio-economic system placed on the country by previous colonial rulers. He argued that Ghana was a developing country and it needed to discard old systems if they had outlived their usefulness. The party

2232-448: The incumbent government for its poor fiscal policies. However, they were unable to articulate a clear positive message of their own, or plans to change the current economic policy. As Ghana was heavily dependent on international aid, local leaders had minimal impact on the economy. The Electoral Commission reported that Rawlings had won by 57%, with Kufuor obtaining 40% of the vote. Results by district were similar to those in 1992, with

2294-404: The killings and abduction of over 300 Ghanaians. Elections were held on time shortly after the coup. On Monday, 24 September 1979, power was peacefully handed over by Rawlings to President Hilla Limann , whose People's National Party (PNP) had the support of Nkrumah's followers. Two years later, on 31 December 1981 Rawlings ousted President Hilla Limann in a coup d'état, claiming that civilian rule

2356-433: The launch of the party and added that they had completed all of the necessary formalities to register the new party. The party received its final electoral certificate on October 20, 2006, allowing it to function as a political party in Ghana. As of 2007, the interim chairman of the party is Alhaji Abdul Rahaman Issah. In 2011, the DFP merged with the National Democratic Congress. It was put under pressure when Aba Folson,

2418-528: The military can include either broad control over the government or control over a narrower set of policy areas, such as military or national security matters. Throughout the 20th century, military juntas were frequently seen in Latin America , typically in the form of an "institutionalized, highly corporate/professional junta" headed by the commanding officers of the different military branches ( army , navy , and air force ), and sometimes joined by

2480-541: The official ones released by the Electoral commission. The Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) was established to discuss election preparations with all parties and the Electoral Commission, as well as establish procedures to investigate and resolve complaints. Presidential and parliamentary elections were held on the same day and see-through boxes were used in order to further ensure the legitimacy of

2542-667: The opposition had largely approved after party agents had reviewed the lists. The emphasis on transparency led Ghanaian non-governmental organizations to create the Network of Domestic Election Observers (NEDEO), which trained nearly 4,100 local poll watchers . This organization was popular across political parties and civic groups. On the day of the election, more than 60,000 candidate agents monitored close to all polling sites, and were responsible for directly reporting results to their respective party leaders. The parallel vote-tabulation system allowed polling sites to compare their results to

Democratic Freedom Party - Misplaced Pages Continue

2604-616: The opposition winning the Ashanti Region and some constituencies in Eastern and Greater Accra, and Rawlings winning in his ethnic home, the Volta Region , and faring well in every other region. The NDC took 134 seats in the Assembly compared to the opposition's 66, and the NPP took 60 seats in the parliament. The 1992 constitution limits a president to two terms, even if they are nonconsecutive. Rawlings did not attempt to amend

2666-534: The prices of agricultural products. Rawlings' economic policies led to an economic crisis in 1983, forcing him to undertake structural adjustment and submit himself to election to retain power. Elections were held in January 1992, leading Ghana back to multiparty democracy. Rawlings established the National Commission on Democracy (NCD) shortly after the 1982 coup, and employed it to survey civilian opinion and make recommendations that would facilitate

2728-567: The privileged classes and their social values, his view of the injustices in society hardened. He was thus regarded with some unease by the SMC. After the 1979 coup, he involved himself with the student community of the University of Ghana , where he developed a more leftist ideology through reading and discussion of social and political ideas. Rawlings grew discontented with Ignatius Kutu Acheampong 's government, which had come to power through

2790-517: The process of democratic transition. In March 1991, the NCD released a report recommending the election of an executive president, the establishment of a national assembly, and the creation of the post of prime minister. The PNDC used NCD recommendations to establish a committee for the drafting of a new constitution based on past Ghanaian Constitutions, that lifted the ban on political parties in May 1992 after it

2852-435: The public administration. The 2008 DFP presidential candidate, Mr. Emmanuel Ansah-Antwi told reporters in an interview in April, 2008 that a government of the DFP would continue with the good policies of the previous NPP administration. However, a government under the DFP would focus on implementing and executing the policies of the previous NPP administration better than its predecessors. Specifically, Mr. Ansah-Antwi mentioned

2914-411: The purchasing of local commodities over foreign goods. As said at a DFP press conference in April 2008: “the DFP believes that if agriculture is well developed, it is capable of moving this country faster than any other sector, probably except oil which is yet to be drilled.” Other specific political systems in Ghana that the DFP planned to change included civil service structures, public education, and

2976-410: The removal of price controls, and social-service subsidies which favored farmers over urban workers, and privatization of some state-owned enterprises, and restraints on government spending. Funding was provided by bilateral donors, reaching US$ 800 million in 1987 and 1988, and US$ 900 million in 1989. Between 1992 and 1996, Rawlings eased control over the judiciary and civil society, allowing

3038-473: The top of the military hierarchy, while the latter are carried out by a segment of the armed forces and are often led by mid-ranking officers. A 2014 study published in the Annual Review of Political Science journal found that military regimes behaved differently from both civilian dictatorships and autocratic military strongmen. A military regime is ruled by a group of high-ranking officers, whereas

3100-406: The two. In November 2000, Rawlings was named the first International Year of Volunteers 2001 Eminent Person by UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan , attending various events and conferences to promote volunteerism. In October 2010, Rawlings was named as the African Union envoy to Somalia . In November 2010, he attended the inauguration of Dési Bouterse as President of Suriname , and took

3162-407: The unicameral National Assembly, of which NDC officials won 189 of 200 seats and essentially established a one-party parliament that lacked legitimacy and only had limited legislative powers. After the disputed election, the PNDC was transformed into the National Democratic Congress (NDC). Rawlings took office on Thursday, 7 January 1993, the same day that the new constitution came into effect, and

SECTION 50

#1732793586591

3224-607: The university. This suggestion was accepted by his family. A foundation called the JJ Rawlings Foundation was named after him led by his children, Madam Yaa Asantewaa Agyeman-Rawlings and Madam Amina Agyeman-Rawlings. The following are physical books relevant to Jerry Rawlings, which may not be available online, but are added in case of looking for more information. See also, Shipley, Jesse Weaver. "Alternative Histories of Global Sovereignty: Ghana's Lost Revolution" Comparative Studies of South Asia, Africa and

3286-414: The votes, former President Hilla Limann won 6.8%, Kwabena Darko won 2.9%, and Emmanuel Erskine won 1.7%. Voter turnout was 50%. The ability of opposition parties to compete was limited by the vast advantages Rawlings possessed. Rawlings' victory was aided by the various party structures that were integrated into society during his rule, called the "organs of the revolution". These structures included

3348-409: Was a Ghanaian military officer, aviator and politician who led the country for a brief period in 1979, and then from 1981 to 2001. He led a military junta until 1993, and then served two terms as the democratically elected president of Ghana . He was the longest-serving leader in Ghana's history, presiding over the country for 19 years. Rawlings came to power in Ghana as a flight lieutenant of

3410-531: Was announced that the DFP was merging with the National Democratic Congress, the party from which it was originally formed. The leader, Obed Asamoah, said the NDC internal processes were more democratic and this is what encouraged the reunion. This was formerly confirmed in a joint statement signed by the general secretaries of both parties on 22 May 2012. It therefore only contested one general election during its existence. Jerry Rawlings Jerry John Rawlings (22 June 1947 – 12 November 2020)

3472-706: Was approved by referendum. On Friday, 3 November 1992, election results compiled by the INEC from 200 constituencies showed that Rawlings' NDC had won 60% of the votes, and had obtained the majority needed to prevent a second round of voting. More specifically, the NDC won 62% in the Brong-Ahafo region, 93% in the Volta region, and majority votes in Upper West, Upper East, Western, Northern, Central, and Greater Accra regions. His opponents Professor Adu Boahen won 31% of

3534-537: Was behind their murders, though Joachim Amartey Kwei and four others were convicted of murdering the Justices and Acquah, and were executed in 1982. Believing the Limann administration to be unable to resolve Ghana's neocolonial economic dependency, Rawlings led a second coup against Limann and indicted the entire political class on 31 December 1981. In place of Limann's People's National Party , Rawlings established

3596-773: Was held at the Black Star Square before his burial service at the Military Cemetery at Burma Camp , with full military honours, including a slow march by the funeral cortège , a flypast of a Ghana Air Force helicopter, the sounding of the Last Post by army buglers and a 21-gun salute . President Nana Akufo-Addo proposed to the Governing Council of UDS to rename the institution after Jerry John Rawlings since Rawlings used his US$ 50,000 Hunger Project prize as seed money to establish

3658-793: Was held at the Holy Spirit Cathedral on 24 January 2021, followed by a vigil at the Air Force Officers' Mess in Accra later that evening. His body was laid in state in the foyer of the Accra International Conference Centre from 25 to 26 January 2021. There were also traditional rites performed by the Anlo Ewe people of his maternal ancestry. On 27 January 2021, a state funeral, attended by national and international political leaders, paramount chiefs, diplomats and other dignitaries,

3720-428: Was of utmost importance to the DFP for Ghanaian politics to shift from the use of insults to garner votes to a more policy and development focused political campaign. In the 2008 elections, the DFP centered its campaigning around promoting agricultural development in Ghana to reduce poverty and hunger in the country. Given the presidential seat in Ghana, it planned to subsidize agriculture and to place taxes that promoted

3782-425: Was the nephew of Rawlings. Rawlings finished his secondary education at Achimota College in 1967. He joined the Ghana Air Force shortly afterwards; on his application, the military switched his surname John and his middle name Rawlings. In March 1968, he was posted to Takoradi , in Ghana's Western Region , to continue his studies. He graduated in January 1969, and was commissioned as a pilot officer , winning

SECTION 60

#1732793586591

3844-464: Was weak and the country's economy was deteriorating. The killings of the Supreme Court justices ( Cecilia Koranteng-Addow , Frederick Sarkodie, and Kwadjo Agyei Agyepong), military officers Major Sam Acquah and Major Dasana Nantogmah also occurred during the second military rule of Rawlings. However, unlike the 1979 executions, these persons were abducted and killed in secret and it is unclear who

#590409