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Rawlings was the ‘Idi Amin’ of Ghana— ’83’ victims recall maltreatment

Rawlings was the ‘Idi Amin’ of Ghana— ’83’ victims recall maltreatment

Rawlings was the ‘Idi Amin’ of Ghana— ’83’ victims recall maltreatment

Some Ghanaians who witnessed the maltreatment under the governance of the late Former President Jerry John Rawlings have described him as cruel, bloodshedder and dictator.

According to them, his action was mean and destroyed future of many children who were born during his era.

Recounting some of his deeds, John Opoku told Spot On News that the former president was the ‘Idi Amin‘ of Ghana and killed many citizenry during his time.

He said the president used coup and curfew  to ruthlessly kill people and denied many Ghanaians access to wealth.

Mr Opoku recalled that after Rawlings took over from Frederick Kwasi Akuffo, he made life unbearable for many with his quest of ensuring the vulnerable and the rich become same.

He said he froze accounts of many wealthy people which made most rich people who did not belong to his party poor.

“I remember what he did to my father, he took all his wealth in the name of ensuring all Ghanaians become equal.

What is equality? when somebody worked hard to make his money, his action turned my father into a drunkard and died afterwards. More reason why I hate the NDC Party,” Mr Opoku cried.

He said many wealthy people fled from the country till Ghana became more advanced in manner of governing.

Touching on what brought about the 1983 hunger, Mr Opoku noted that due to Rawlings obsession of freezing accounts many traders were affected and could not engage in selling and buying.

Also, he indicated that people failed to invest in the agriculture sector, hence the famine.

“Another thing that led to the 83 drought of Ghana was the curfew, which determined the days and time farmers have to visit their farms. Many crops leaves dried because they were not watered daily,” Mr Opoku added.

Uncle Sam, another witness noted that women and children were mostly affected especially during the “1983” hunger.

He explained that many women including his wife were flocked by some military men deployed by the late Former President Rawling to enforce orderliness in the country.

Comfort Appiah, a victim stated that she was caned by a soldier at Takoradi Harbour when she was trying to get food for her daughter.

She explained that she was in a cue when her daughter started to cry, in her quest to calm her daughter, she left the cue to breast feed her child.

Upon arrival a soldier caned her for joining the cue.

“During 83, I was caned by a soldier after joining a cue which I was already in. My daughter was crying so I told the one I was standing in the cue with that I was going to breastfeed my daughter so she should watch my back. After breastfeeding my daughter I joined the line and a soldier from no where caned me mercilessly together with my four months child,” Mrs Appiah cried.

Others who described former President Rawlings as hero said although he was no saint but his action also instilled discipline in the country.

Victor Donkor said armed robbery and extortion rate dwindled, while food prices became affordable.

He observed that Rawlings did not allow unscrupulous beings who sell things in exorbitant amount to take advantage of people.

Mr Donkor said anyone who tried that act led the state to confiscate the products and sell them more affordably for the poor to also purchase some.

The act, he described as social Justice was something he would remember ex-President Rawlings for and expressed sadness about his demise.

Mr Donkor explained that no matter how people saw him as the “Idi Amin” he was one politician who was a no nonsense man and said many teenage pregnancy would have been avoided if Rawlings was still ruling.

Idi Amin

Idi Amin Dada Oumee was a Ugandan military officer who served as the President of Uganda from 1971 to 1979 and died in August 16 2003.

Popularly known as the “Butcher of Uganda,” he was considered one of the cruellest despots in world history and some aggrieved Ghanaians have said Jerry John Rawlings inherited some of his cruel nature in governing the people.

Jerry John Rawlings’ Rule 

Rawlings was the 'Idi Amin' of Ghana--- '83' victims recall maltreatment

Rawlings ruled Ghana for 16years and came to power as a flight lieutenant of the Ghana Air Force following a coup d’etat in 1979.

Prior to that, he led an unsuccessful coup attempt against the ruling military government on  May 15, 1979, just five weeks before scheduled democratic elections were due to take place.

After handing power over to a civilian government, he took back control of the country on December 31, 1981 as the chairman of the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC).

In 1992, Rawlings resigned from the military, founded the National Democratic Congress (NDC), and became the first President of the Fourth Republic.

He was re-elected in 1996 for four more years, after two terms in office, the limit according to the Ghanaian Constitution, Rawlings endorsed his vice-president John Atta Mills as a presidential candidate in 2000.

Rawlings served as the African Union envoy to Somalia.

Source: www.spotonnews.net

Joyceline Natally Cudjoe

An Entertainment Columnist, Content Writer, Blogger, Novelist, Poet, and a Publicist. For business or story tip off, contact me on +233 24 646 6866 or email: [email protected]
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