Muhammad Ali taught us to be 'bold, fearless' – Rawlings

On the eve of the funeral of Mohammed Ali, Ghana’s former President, Flt Lt Jerry John Rawlings has recounted his double encounter with Muhammad Ali when he visited Ghana in May 1964.

Then a young student, Mr Rawlings was there when Muhammad Ali visited Achimota School. He subsequently managed to visit the World Champion at his hotel where the restless, ice cream eating Ali kept shadow boxing in his room.

Mr Rawlings describes Ali as “teaching us to be bold and fearless, stimulating political consciousness and sparking positive defiance”.

Below is Mr Rawlings’ full tribute to Ali:

I met Muhammad Ali as a youngster when Achimota School was chosen as one of the schools to be honoured by his visit.

Classes were stopped for two to three hours. We met the champion and his team in the Assembly Hall, where he recited some of his poems. Then virtually the whole school gathered around him for a group photograph.

Ali's visit electrified the school compound. The next day was an exeat day and when I heard he was staying at the Ambassador Hotel on the very floor my mother was in charge of, I went there with one of my friends and we called on her to take us back to him.

We spent about half an hour with Ali and his friends. He was eating ice cream and could hardly sit still but kept shadowboxing in the room.

Ali stimulated political consciousness. He sparked positive defiance. While his actions and words lifted the bar of political defiance, his unique combination of brash confidence and humility taught us the beauty, peace and strength in being true to ourselves.

He taught us to be bold and fearless in our fight for what was just. I learned from him to audaciously set my own standards. Muhammad Ali was the undying inspiration to so many of us. He epitomised the finest and the best of our generation, the pride of our time.

Ali fought battles in city rings And a 'jungle' of his choosing Loyal to his convictions At the pinnacle of achievement He paid a heavy price For defying the establishment He raised himself again to extraordinary heights His battles were our battles His loss was our loss And his victory was our victory