The Rawlings'Factor in Ghana's Politics: An Appraisal of Some Secondary and Primary Data

Abstract

Global concern for good leadership and democracy necessitates an examination of how good governance impacts the growth and development of a country. Since independence, Ghana has made giant strides towards good governance and democracy. Jerry John Rawlings has ruled the country for significant period of the three decades. Rawlings emerged on the political scene in 1979 through coup d’etat as a junior officer who led the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC) and eventually consolidated his rule as a legitimate democratically elected President of Ghana under the fourth republican constitution in 1992. Therefore, Ghana’s political history cannot be complete without a thorough examination of the role of the Rawlings in the developmental/democratic process of Ghana. However, there are different contentions about the impact of Rawlings on the developmental and democratic process of Ghana. This study examines the impacts of Rawlings’ administration on the politics of Ghana using both qualitative and quantitative analytical tools. Data collected through questionnaires and field interviews were used to examine the impact of Rawlings in the areas of democratic governance, upholding human rights, women empowerment and party politics in Ghana. Additionally, Rawlings’ shortfalls as a leader and how young leaders and the future generations can take a cue from it was examined with the ultimate aim of strengthening African leadership and ingenuity in the wake of the “leadership crisis” in the continent. The study finally makes incisive recommendations on how to advance democratic ideals in Ghana to maintain her position as the beacon of democracy in Africa.