The Member of Parliament for Klottey Korle, Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, has paid glowing tribute to her late father Jerry John Rawlings, describing him as a leader of rare courage and conviction whose legacy continues to cast a long shadow over Ghana’s democratic journey.

Speaking at the 46th anniversary commemoration of the June 4 Uprising at Agormanya in the Eastern Region, Dr Agyeman-Rawlings said, “Love him or hate him, Papa J was a man who had the courage of his convictions. He was a man who took responsibility for his words and his actions — something that cannot be said for many leaders today.”

She praised the revolutionary spirit that drove the June 4 Uprising, led by her father in 1979, noting that the average age of the officers and ranks involved was just around 30.

“If we look around the sub-region today, the average age of leaders in five countries is about 43, with Captain Traoré of Burkina Faso being the youngest, in his late 30s. There is a clear generational movement,” she said.

The lawmaker recounted how her late father not only led the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC) but also chaired the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC), laying the groundwork for Ghana’s return to constitutional rule and the birth of the Fourth Republic.

“My father passed five years ago, just to give us a sense of how quickly time passes, but his ideals remain more relevant than ever,” she noted.

Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings also cautioned against the complacency of Ghana’s democratic credentials.

“Just ten years ago, could we have imagined the domino effect of democratic reversals that we are witnessing today? Could we have foreseen young people openly hailing military leaders in their respective countries?

“Our democracy did not come cheap. This period has endured several transitions — sometimes on a knife’s edge. Yet here we are, one of the few countries that has not seen its constitution suspended or term limits tampered with. Jesus was 33 when he was crucified and rose again. If we’ve celebrated 33 years of the Fourth Republic, let us reflect deeply on what that means for our journey," she stated.

The lawmaker called for restraint and wisdom as the nation prepares for a constitutional review.

“We must hasten slowly. We must proceed with utmost caution, especially given the levels of insecurity and volatility in the region," she added.

The June 4 Uprising, which was led by then Flight Lieutenant Jerry John Rawlings, marked a pivotal moment in Ghana's history.

It resulted in the overthrow of the Supreme Military Council, setting the stage for the country's return to civilian rule and democratic governance.

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