The family of the late Jerry John Rawlings has noted that the passing of the former president was a great loss to the country.

A speech delivered by a daughter of the former statesman, Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, on behalf of the family indicated that the death of Mr Rawlings caused Ghanaians and the family extreme pain.

At a remembrance mass to mark the first anniversary of his passing on Friday in Accra, the Klottey Korle legislator said the entire country will sorely miss the sterling qualities of the great leader.

"Your passing, was a loss to the whole country and the pain was one felt by most Ghanaians. The international community’s outpouring of condolence was also very moving; all these served as a reminder of how many lives Jerry Rawlings had impacted."

"You struck a chord with the ordinary people of this country and could not fathom why a small group of the privileged class had taken over Ghana and consistently mismanaged it," she read.

She further recounted that her father demonstrated great leadership skills, describing him as a loving and charismatic leader whose legacies will continue to be touted across the length and breadth of the nation.

"Probity and accountability were not just popular words associated with Jerry John Rawlings. You did everything you could when you were leader of this country to live that ideal and convince all Ghanaians to follow suit."

"The journey of combating corruption has been a complex journey for Ghana but while you lived, you never stopped championing that cause. We are still far from where you wanted your beloved Ghana to be but your ideals and what you stood for, will also haunt those who choose to cut corners to achieve undeserved riches."

The 73-year-old former President died at the Korle Bu Teaching hospital after a short illness on November 12, 2020.

In December 1992, he was democratically elected as President of the Republic and ruled for eight years after securing a resounding victory in his second term bid in 1996.