President Akufo-Addo has revealed that although he did not always agree with the late former President Rawlings, the one point of commonality between them was a mutual commitment to serve humanity.
Akufo-Addo in his tribute admitted that his relationship with the former president was open ‘animosity’. But a visit to his Ridge residence in 2012 turned things around.
“It was no secret that the relationship that existed between the two of us… was one of open animosity. We did not see eye to eye. However, with time, things changed. We came to see value in each other, and understood, to a very large degree, our respective perspectives. One thing we had in common was our mutual commitment to public service,” he stated.
Speaking at the state funeral of the late statesman, the president revealed that their relationship blossomed to the point of Mr Rawlings becoming a trusted confidant with whom he discussed matters concerning the state.
“From my entry into office, right up to the day he was called by his Maker, he remained a good friend and a repository of sound advice. I knew that, in moments of difficulty in my presidency, I could count on his considerable wealth of experience and knowledge. On those occasions, he came through for me.”
Recounting one of the found memory of the late statesman, the president said, Rawglings requested that he stood beside him for a special prayer during the burial of his mother.
According to him, Rawlings whispered to his ears: “I reminded them that they should pray for you also because you had also lost your mother.” I was touched by this,” he revealed.
Akufo-Addo also described that Rawlings as “charismatic, energetic and fearless”, traits that still remained potent even at the very end of his life.
As such, the name and works of Jerry John Rawlings will continually leave “strong footprints in the sands of time.”