Jerry John Rawlings

Jerry John Rawlings (Jeremiah John Rawlings), 1947-, Ghanaian political leader. Of Scottish and Ghanaian descent, Rawlings attended military schools throughout his early life, becoming a skilled pilot and achieving the rank of flight lieutenant. After one unsuccessful coup, Rawlings overthrew the government in 1979. He gained popularity by instituting price controls and relinquishing power to an elected government headed by President Hilla Limann , but he overthrew (1981) it when it proved ineffectual. He abolished the constitution, suppressed dissent, and established a program of self-sufficiency and austerity, while surviving four coup attempts. He won free presidential elections in 1992 and 1996, serving until 2001.

Rawlings, Jerry (John) (1947– ) Ghanaian politician, President from 1982. Of mixed Ghanaian and Scottish parentage, Rawlings was born in Accra and educated in military academies. He won a commission in the country's air force in 1969 and was promoted to flight-lieutenant in 1978. In the following year, he was at the head of a group of junior officers that overthrew the government and installed a civilian administration. In 1981, however, Rawlings staged a second coup and declared himself head of state. He has since been re-elected in 1992 and 1996.

Rawlings executed a number of politicians after the 1981 coup for alleged corruption and suspended constitutional rule for a period. In the later 1980s, however, he implemented an IMF/World Bank plan for Ghana's economic recovery and restored multiparty politics. In 1992, after promulgating a new constitution, he resigned and successfully contested the presidential elections as a civilian.

Rawlings, Jerry John (b. 22 June 1947). Ruler of Ghana 1979–2001 Born in Accra, he attended Achimota College and Teshie Military College (1968). He then trained as a jet pilot but, shocked by corruption among senior military officers, he plotted with thirteen other young officers, and in May 1979 led an abortive coup to overthrow the military government. Released from prison after a further coup on 4 June 1979, he became chairman of the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council, which in effect controlled the country. In a widespread purge against corruption, several army officers, including the three former heads of state, were executed. After four months he handed over power to a civilian President, Hilla Limann. In December 1981 he re-established himself as chairman of the Provisional National Defence Council of Ghana. His original popularity, achieved by his stance against corruption, was eroded owing to his policies of economic liberalization and privatization, which caused widespread poverty and unemployment. This forced him to reintroduce a democratic constitution, and in a general election 1993 he was confirmed President. He was re-elected in 1996. Barred by the constitution from running for office for a third time, he retired in January 2001.