As tributes continue to pour in following the demise of Ghana’s Former President, Flt. Lt. Jerry John Rawlings, the Christian community, who have been a part of nation building for many years have equally been reacting to the death of the Former President. In a two-page statement, the Founder of Action Chapel International, Archbishop Nicholas-Duncan Williams talks about his encounter with the Former President, his values and the way forward for Ghana.
He describes the timing of the death as “painful and difficult,” but encourages Ghanaians and the world at large to hold on to the words of Ecclesiastes 8 vs 8 which says, “no man has power over the spirit to retain the spirit, neither has he power in the day of death and there is no discharge in that war.”
He described President Rawlings as “the personification of the Man in the Arena” who “dared greatly and will never be among those cold and timid souls who neither know great defeats or victories.”
He recounts his encounter with President Rawlings during a telephone conversation he had with him in 2000 at the end of President Rawlings’ second term as a civilian President.
“I was living in the US at the time, many people called me with concerns about the uncertainty of the future political spectrum of our beloved nation Ghana. In a conversation with the President about these concerns, he expressed his conviction that he had done his best and had to now move on to make way for others to come in and continue the task of nation building. This spoke volumes to me about the selfless character of the man. Can you imagine what the story of Ghana would be if he had selfishly held on to power? I will remember him for putting Ghana first.”
Archbishop Nicholas-Duncan Williams calls on Ghanaians to focus on the good deeds of President Rawlings, “to extend forgiveness and grace where he missed it. He himself had some deep regrets. The best contribution we can all make to his legacy is to unite as Ghanaians and put country first: to build together as citizens of a community rather than divided people of parties and tribes.”
“As we lay him to rest in the spirit of gratitude and appreciation, for his contribution to the nation and its people, let us also allow these words to resonate in our hearts, ‘Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.” (Matt 5:7).
President Jerry John Rawlings was the first President of Ghana’s fourth republic. He led Ghana from 1992 to 2000 as a civilian President having previously led the nation on two occasions as a military leader.
Archbishop Nicholas-Duncan Williams is regarded as the father of Charismatic Pentecostalism in Ghana. He has ministered to every President in Ghana since the beginning of the fourth republic in 1992.
Read the full statement below
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