MP for the Klottey-Korle constituency, Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, at a ceremony in Keta on Wednesday to unveil a statue in honour of her late father, former President Jerry John Rawlings, urged Ghanaians to emulate his ideals of probity, accountability, dedication to the country, humility, service and integrity, as the statue stands as a symbol of what he stood for.
Dr Agyeman-Rawlings, who is the first daughter of former President Rawlings, stated that Ghanaians should bring meaning to the legacy of the late president by exhibiting the values he championed.
“If we can all live by those ideals, that is how we honour his memory,” she said.
“There are many ways to honour the memory of someone who has done amazing things. We thank those who put together this concept (statue) to honour his memory. We also support their noble intention,” Dr Agyeman-Rawlings added.
The ceremony was attended by the Awoamefia of Anlo, Togbi Sri III; Awadada, Togbi Agbesi Awusu II; and other leading traditional leaders of Anlo.
Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings said she was aware of a plan by the Anlo State to organise a ceremony in honour of former President Rawlings to coincide with the fifth anniversary of his passing, but that did not materialise due to the passing of former First Lady Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings.
She said, though the family is still in mourning, they had to honour the invitation not just because of what it signifies for the family but also for the people of Anlo and the people of Ghana.
Dr Agyeman-Rawlings, who was accompanied by his brother, Kimathi Agyeman-Rawlings, prayed that future generations will appreciate the value of what the monument represents and be a part of maintaining it so that many more others will learn about the legacy of Rawlings.
Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the National Health Insurance Authority, DDrSenanu Kwesi Djokoto, who spoke about ‘The Man Jerry Rawlings’, recalled the role former President Rawlings played in coastal livelihoods, fisheries and environmental justice.
Dr Djokoto highlighted President Rawlings’ government’s championing of the Keta Sea Defence Project, a bold intervention that protected lives, homes, and heritage from the relentless force of the Atlantic Ocean. President Rawlings, he said, believed that no Ghanaian should be forgotten because of geography.
“He challenged entrenched privilege and reminded public officials that power without integrity is meaningless. His insistence on discipline and accountability became a defining feature of his leadership,” DDrDjokoto stated.
A major legacy of President Rawlings, the NHIA Deputy Chief Executive noted, was the laying of democratic stability in Ghana, some of which continues to earn Ghana respect in Africa and the rest of the continent.
He subjected himself to the will of the people in 1992, contested elections, and handed over peacefully after completing two terms.
The Chairman of the National Democratic Congress, Mr Johnson Asiedu Nketia, in his address, said a nation that does not honour its leaders is not worth dying for.
He reiterated President Rawlings’ decision not to be honoured in monuments and effigies while he was alive.
“He wanted to live in the hearts of people. He refused for a university that he founded to be named after him. He refused the naming of an FPSO after him. He became the Head of State with the rank of Flight Lieutenant and refused to accept promotion.”
“The monument is to highlight his life to those who did not live through his work and appreciate his contribution to national development, so they can relate to his legacy. We thought that even though he rejected such monuments when he was alive, this is the appropriate time to honour him,” the NDC Chairman stated.
He also restated the Party’s resolution in 2025 to name its national Headquarters, Jerry John Rawlings House.
The sponsors of the statue, Mawuko Djikunu and Selassie Kekesi,e in an address read on their behalf, said President Rawlings transformed Ghana’s destiny and inspired millions across Africa.
They felt it was important that they build a monument that future generations can look upon to appreciate what true patriotism and service mean.
It tells the story of a leader who believed in ordinary people and who loved his country. It reminds the youth that greatness is borne from service, courage and integrity, they said.
Dignitaries present at the ceremony included the Regional Minister, Mr James Gunu, Regional Chairman Mawutor Agbavitor, MP for Ketu South and Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Dzifa Gomashie, Ambassador Dan Abodakpi, NPP Regional Chairman, Makafui Woanya, MP for Keta, Kwame Gakpe, MP for Anlo, Richard Kwame Sefa, MCE for Keta, Wisdom Saede and Emmanuel Gemegah, former Keta MCE.
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