Former Ghanaian President Jerry Rawlings dies of coronavirus

Jerry Rawlings

Former Ghanaian President Jerry Rawlings has died of coronavirus-related complications at the age of 73, Ghanaian media have reported.

His death comes less than a month after he buried his mother.

Mr Rawlings was until his death the African Union envoy to Somalia.

Also confirming his death on Thursday, publisher Dele Momodu a close associate of Rawlings tweeted: “The saddest news of this year. My God. Former President Jerry John Rawlings of Ghana has passed on. I’m completely devastated. Good night, an African hero.”

Rawlings was a military leader in Ghana following a coup d’état in 1979 before transforming into a politician who ruled the country from 1981 to 2001.