International media coverage of Rawlings's funeral

The stature of Jerry John Rawlings in Ghana’s recent history meant that international media outlets were interested in his person hence his death in November 2020 was widely reported by the foreign press.

Both electronic and digital media outlets rolled out different perspectives of the man from his days as a military ruler to the democratically elected era and life after presidency.

The media has also covered his four-day funeral period but not as extensively as they did the announcement of his passing. GhanaWeb looks at some of the international headlines around his funeral.

BBC’s extensive coverage

The BBC – on air, online – rolled out a series of reports especially on their Africa LIVE page on the funeral of the former president. A key production being an audio interview with Zanetor Rawlings.

Titled “Ghana and Jerry Rawlings: my father's legacy,” the first daughter of JJ and Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings spoke about her father’s legacy of appealing to all sides of the political divide, how he brought them up, his continental impact and a bit of her political journey.

BBC’s Ghana correspondent Thomas Naadi filed a report on Rawlings being laid in state before the World Service reported Ghanaians honouring Rawlings – all on the Africa LIVE page on Monday January 25. Today, Naadi filed a report titled: “Ghana’s ex-leader Jerry Rawlings to be buried Wednesday.”

The BBC has also published a number of analysis pieces on Rawlings and his impact at home and abroad, plus how and why he means different things to different people.

"Don't sing songs in praise of me. Sing in praise of Ghana and
Africa, the black man."

Ghana's longest-serving leader, former President Jerry John Rawlings will be laid to rest today. Through his speeches and interviews, this is how he spoke of his vision for Ghana and Africa. pic.twitter.com/nsh3zQhgCE

— BBC News Africa (@BBCAfrica) January 27, 2021

AFP, Africanews, Xinhua and CGTN

The AFP news agency filed a January 24 report titled “Ghana prepares to bury ex-leader Rawlings as parties vie over legacy.” Its report today was titled: “Ghana buries revered leader Jerry Rawlings with military honours.”

Other outlets that have variously covered the funeral include Africanews, CGTN and Xinhua news agency.

Africanews’ headlines included “Ghana honours ex-president John Jerry Rawlings” and “Ghana’s ex-president Jerry John Rawlings to be buried today.”

For their part, China’s CGTN / Xinhua carried headlines: “Ghanaian president, dignitaries pay last respect to President Rawlings,” and “Former Ghanaian President Rawlings buried.”



His funeral kicked off with a Catholic Requiem Mass on Sunday, January 24 at the Holy Spirit Cathedral and a vigil at the Air Force Officers Mess in Accra.

The former President was laid in state between Monday, January 25 and Tuesday, January 26 at the Accra International Conference Centre. The public and government took the opportunity to pay their last respects.

A burial ceremony took place today at the Independence Square before the mortal remains was driven through some principal streets of the capital. The cortege proceeded to the Military Cemetery for final interment.