Former Ghanaian President, Rawlings, Is Dead

Former Ghanaian President, Jerry John Rawlings has died from coronavirus complications, local media reports.

The former leader died Thursday morning, aged 73, at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra, Ghana's capital.

Rawlings was president from 1981 to 2001, although, serving as a military ruler until 1992 before he was democratically elected.

Born on June 22, 1947, Rawlings' failed coup was orchestrated in 179 weeks before Ghana was to observe a return to civilian rule.

Although his coup plot had failed, leading to him sentenced to death by court-martial; in 1981, he regained country as head of the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC).

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Transitioning into democratic rule, Rawlings resigned from the military and formed the National Democratic Congress (NDC), winning the election and leading the Fourth Ghanaian Republic.

He served another term in office and installed John Atta Mills, his vice, as president, although Mills served briefly in office.