A video of the late former President of Ghana, Flight Lieutenant Jerry John Rawlings, apologizing for the excesses of the 1979 and 1981 coups has sparked fresh discussions amid recent developments in Parliament.

In a bold move, Rawlings led a group of junior officers in a coup attempt on May 15, 1979, just weeks before Ghana's constitutional elections.

Although the coup was initially unsuccessful, Rawlings and his fellow leaders were imprisoned and faced court-martial.

However, their fate changed on June 4, 1979, when sympathetic military officers staged a counter-coup, overthrowing the Akuffo regime and freeing Rawlings and his cohorts from prison. This led to the abduction and killing of over 300 Ghanaians.

The video, which has been making rounds on social media, shows Rawlings reflecting on the unintended consequences of the uprisings he led.

“I take absolute responsibility for most and all the mistakes and misguided actions that have been made by some of our brothers and sisters, all the way from the days of ’79 and ’81.

“I do sincerely apologize to the parents and all the sons and daughters for some of the extreme situations, some of which claimed lives.”

The video's resurfacing comes in the wake of ongoing political tensions, following remarks made in Parliament after the 60th anniversary of the late Joseph Boakye Danquah.

A Member of Parliament from the Minority caucus allegedly referred to Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, MP for Klottey Korle and daughter of the former president, as the “daughter of a murderer.”

The reappearance of this video has reignited conversations about the incident in Parliament and the legacy of Rawlings's leadership.

Meanwhile, traditional rulers of the Anlo Kingdom in the Volta Region are seeking justice for what they describe as a verbal assault on Dr Zanetor.

They have petitioned Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin, giving him a deadline of February 10 to reveal the identity of the MP responsible for the remark.

In the meantime, find out why Duncan-Williams cried after seeing Akufo-Addo, Mahama together



FKA/EK