A statue has been erected in honor of the late former President, Jerry John Rawlings, at his maternal hometown, Dzelukofe, in the Keta Municipality of the Volta Region.

The statue stationed in the premises of the Parks and Gardens in Keta was intended to protect and project the legacy of Mr. Rawlings, the first President of the 4th Republic.

The ceremony was attended by his children, Zanetor Agyemang Rawlings, Kimathi Agyemang Rawlings, the Awomefia Togbe Sri, the National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress, Johnson Asiedu Nketia, the Volta Regional Minister, James Gunu, and the Volta Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party, Makafui Woanyah, among others.

The Deputy Chief Executive Officer in charge of Operations of the National Health Insurance Authority, eulogized the Former President for his role in developing the Volta Region and the country.

He mentioned the Keta Sea Defense Project as one of the major interventions of President Rawlings, and urged the youth to take a cue from his way of commitment to serve the nation.

The Volta Regional Minister, James Gunu, indicated that the former President had placed his life on the line to serve the country, describing his ascension to the Presidency as a “light after darkness.”

He added that President Rawlings was an asset to the country and “even in his grave, he remains an asset.”

The Member of Parliament for Korle Klottey, Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, acknowledged the people who hatched the idea to erect a statue to honor his father.

He said that she prays the statue of President Rawlings reminds the citizenry of their dedication to the country, urging Ghanaians to honor his legacy by sharing in his values and ideals.

“We pray that the generation to come will appreciate the value of what he represents, be a part of maintaining it," she stressed.

The National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress, Asiedu Nketia, stressed that the former President didn’t buy the idea of erecting statues in his honor or naming institutions after him, explaining that he wants “‘to live in the hearts of people.’”

He further indicated that the time was right for him to be honored after death, especially as his popularity among the people is decreasing, because those who knew him and his contributions to shape the country's course are dying.

He said it was now right for the Former President to be honored in the most distinct ways and have books authored about him to protect his legacy and transmit his values to the younger and future generations.

“Even though he rejected monuments while he was alive, this is the time to honor him. The statue will remain as a reminder of the flame he lived for and died for.”