The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has renamed its national headquarters in Adabraka, Accra, as the JJ Rawlings House in honour of its founder and former President, Jerry John Rawlings.
The ceremony, held on Sunday, June 22, coincided with what would have been the late statesman’s 79th birthday and brought together senior party officials, members of the Agyeman Rawlings family, and supporters of the party.
President John Dramani Mahama, accompanied by the National Chairman of the NDC, Johnson Asiedu Nketia, General Secretary Fifi Fiavi Kwetey, and members of the Rawlings family, unveiled a commemorative bust and plaque in honour of the party’s founder.
Former President Rawlings, Ghana’s longest serving Head of State, was born on June 22, 1947, and died on November 12, 2020. He founded the NDC in 1992 and led the party to victory in the country’s first elections under the Fourth Republic, ushering in constitutional rule on January 7, 1993.
Addressing the gathering, President Mahama described the occasion as a moment of remembrance, gratitude, and recommitment to the ideals that have shaped the NDC over the decades.
“Today is a day of remembrance. It’s a day of gratitude and renewal. It’s a day that invites us to reflect on our journey as a political movement,” he said.
He noted that the ceremony was not merely about renaming a building or unveiling a monument but about preserving history, celebrating leadership, and transmitting enduring values to future generations.
According to President Mahama, every lasting institution is built on the sacrifices of individuals who dedicate themselves to causes greater than personal interests, adding that political movements draw strength not only from their structures but also from the principles and leadership that inspire their members.
He paid tribute to Rawlings’ contribution to Ghana’s democratic development, describing him as a transformative leader whose commitment to probity, accountability, social justice, and national service helped shape the political tradition from which the NDC emerged.
“Today we honour one of the most influential figures on that journey. The man we commemorate today, Jerry John Rawlings, is a man whose leadership, courage and unwavering commitment to the ideals of probity, accountability, social justice and national service helped shape the political tradition from which our party emerged,” President Mahama stated.
The President said Rawlings’ vision and determination laid the foundations for the democratic stability and political freedoms Ghana enjoys today, adding that he consistently championed the interests of ordinary citizens and promoted fairness, justice, and accountability in public life.
President Mahama said naming the party’s headquarters after Rawlings was both a tribute to his immense contribution to the NDC and Ghana and a reaffirmation of the values he stood for.
He stressed that integrity, patriotism, sacrifice, courage, discipline, and service to the people must continue to guide the actions of both the party and government.
The President described the headquarters as the operational heart of the NDC, where policies are developed, strategies crafted, and decisions taken in pursuit of the party’s mission to serve Ghanaians.
He said the renaming would ensure that future generations of party members remain connected to the sacrifices and principles that shaped the NDC.
President Mahama also noted that the unveiling of the bust carried symbolic significance, serving as a reminder of the ideals and values Rawlings embodied throughout his public life.
“We celebrate his courage and leadership. We celebrate his conviction in times of uncertainty. We celebrate his commitment to national service,” he said.
The President recalled that Rawlings had consistently resisted attempts to have national monuments named after him during his lifetime. He cited instances where the former President declined proposals to name the University for Development Studies and the FPSO operating in the ENI Sankofa oil field after him.
According to President Mahama, Rawlings preferred to leave his legacy in the hearts and minds of Ghanaians rather than through monuments and structures.
“Fortunately for us today, he is in no position to object to what we are doing here to immortalize his name,” he remarked.
Speaking on behalf of the Agyeman Rawlings family, Kimathi Agyeman Rawlings expressed appreciation to the NDC and President Mahama for the honour bestowed on the late former President.
He described the occasion as more than a ceremonial event, saying it represented a moment of reflection, remembrance, and recommitment to the ideals that Rawlings dedicated his life to advancing.
“By naming the NDC Headquarters after former President Rawlings, the party has permanently inscribed his name into the very home of the ideals, sacrifices and aspirations to which he devoted his life,” he said.
Kimathi added that the recognition was not only about honouring an individual but also about preserving and reaffirming the values that inspired a political movement and contributed significantly to Ghana’s democratic journey.
