Jerry John Rawlings Biography and Timeline

Fourth Republic Inaugurated

Rawlings begins serving as an elected constitutional president as the 1992 Constitution enters into force and Ghana's Fourth Republic begins.

Role range: 1993-2001

ECOWAS Chairmanship Assumed

Rawlings becomes chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, taking a regional leadership role during conflicts in West Africa.

Role range: 1993-2001

World Trade Organization Membership Begins

Ghana becomes an original member of the World Trade Organization during Rawlings's presidency, deepening participation in the multilateral trading system.

Role range: 1993-2001

Value Added Tax Introduced

The government introduces a value added tax as part of revenue reform, but widespread protests lead to the tax being withdrawn for redesign.

Role range: 1993-2001

Election

Winner of the Presidential & Parliamentary elections with 57.4% of the vote

Second Elected Presidential Term Begins

Rawlings begins his second elected presidential term after winning the 1996 election under the constitutional framework of the Fourth Republic.

Role range: 1993-2001

Bill Clinton State Visit

Rawlings hosts United States President Bill Clinton in Accra during the first visit to Ghana by a serving American president.

Role range: 1993-2001

Value Added Tax Reintroduced

The government reintroduces value added tax after revising the system that had been withdrawn following strong public opposition in 1995.

Role range: 1993-2001

Peaceful Transfer to Kufuor

Rawlings leaves office and transfers presidential authority peacefully to John Agyekum Kufuor after the opposition wins the 2000 election.

Role range: 1993-2001