A viral video has taken social media by storm, leaving many Ghanaians questioning the possibility of the late former President Jerry John Rawlings being alive. The footage, captured during the one-week observation of the Asante Mamponghene, shows a man who bears a striking resemblance to the late Ghanaian leader. Dressed in traditional black mourning attire and wearing dark sunglasses, the man walked confidently through the event, sparking widespread speculation.
The uncanny resemblance has led to a flurry of reactions online. Many social media users were stunned, with one user commenting, “Is J.J. Rawlings still alive?”
Another user added humor, saying, “Ah, so Papa Jay was alive, so it was settings that he died or?” Yet another suggested, “No, I think this is Rawlings from Alibaba.” The reactions did not stop there, as some users expressed genuine shock, with one remarking, “For a second, I really thought that was… wow. My eyes weren’t ready.”
Jerry John Rawlings, who served as Ghana’s head of state from 1981 to 2001, passed away on November 12, 2020. His death marked the end of an era for the nation, but his legacy has remained strong. The emergence of this video has reignited conversations about the impact of his leadership and the fond memories many Ghanaians still hold of him.
While it is clear that the man in the video is not Rawlings himself but a lookalike, the footage has provided a moment of nostalgia and humor for many. Such incidents are not uncommon, especially for public figures whose influence and memory remain deeply ingrained in the hearts of the people.