Dr. Donald Agumenu, a renowned leadership and governance expert and former Special Assistant to the late President Jerry John Rawlings, has advocated for institutions of higher learning to incorporate leadership lectures in memory of the former President.
In a news brief commemorating the third anniversary of Rawlings' passing, Dr Agumenu emphasized that ” ‘Rawlingsm' is an evolving theory – a concept of good leadership, anti-corruption, inclusion, and justice.”
Rawlings' leadership style, according to Dr Agumenu, centred around inclusion and diversity management, fostering inter-religious cohesion for national development, and must be imparted to the younger generation.
“The creation of the Office of the National Chief Imam and Muslim Holidays are part of statecrafts he used to create a stable political and security architecture we enjoy today,” stated Dr Agumenu, highlighting Rawlings' contributions to peace, national cohesion, wisdom, and spirituality.
Dr Agumenu praised Rawlings for promoting diverse religious and ethnic representation, describing him as a true advocate for the underdogs. He emphasized Rawlings' role in addressing Ghana's struggles and the imperative to liberate the nation from poverty and ignorance.
“JJ Rawlings was indeed the man of the people; a pure-bred leader who was ahead of his time; a bitter reality his detractors only admit behind closed doors,” remarked Dr. Agumenu, acknowledging Rawlings' humility and congeniality.
He urged the leadership of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), the political party Rawlings founded, to actively promote the ideals and values he stood for through leadership lectures and conferences.
Former President Rawlings passed away on November 12, 2020, at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital after a brief illness. His political journey began with a coup d'état in 1979, leading to various roles, including Chairman of the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC) and eventually becoming the first president of the Fourth Republic in 1992. After two terms in office, he handed over power to former President John Agyekum Kufuor.