Remembering Rawlings: Fritz Baffour on the Man Behind the Myth

Three years after former Ghanaian president Jerry John Rawlings passed away on 12th November 2020, journalist and media consultant Fritz Baffour sat down with host Kafui Dey for the "Remembering Rawlings" series to share an insider's account of the man he knew for decades. As one of Rawlings' closest media advisers and friends, Baffour offers rare personal insight into the former head of state's character, relationships, political philosophy, and the private side of a leader often defined by his public bluster.

Who Is Fritz Baffour?

Baffour describes himself as an "almost absolute Ghanaian," with family roots spanning the north, south, east, and west of the country, as well as ties to Nigeria. Born and raised in Korle Gonno, a peri-urban part of Accra, he trained as a businessman in England before transitioning into journalism and advertising. He later served as a Member of Parliament for Ablekuma South, which covers Chorkor, Korle Gonno, and Mamprobi. Beyond politics and media, Baffour has also worked in comedy and film. He credits his deep love of history and culture to his father, a senior civil servant and engineer who was heavily involved in Ghana's independence struggle, and his mother, a midwife.

A Childhood Steeped in History and Culture

Baffour recalls an enjoyable childhood in 1950s and 60s Ghana, filled with cinema trips, family visits to Elmina and Jamestown, and a household where history was a constant presence. His father's deep interest in history — both Ghanaian and global — exposed him early to world history, from Chinese and British history to Simón Bolívar's role in South America. Baffour argues that Ghana today has not done enough to instill this same pride in history and culture among young people, suggesting this disconnect contributes to confusion over national identity.

From Business and Advertising to Journalism

Baffour studied business at Bristol Polytechnic (now the University of the West of England) and worked as a training manager for Littlewoods, a UK retail organization. A move into advertising exposed him to scriptwriting and presenting, which drew him toward journalism. His career fully took shape in Liberia, where he hosted a television programme called Just for You and began writing for newspapers, after earlier stints in radio sports commentary in Ghana. He later worked in British television before returning home, describing Ghana as a country he cannot bear to leave for more than ten days without feeling "withdrawal symptoms."

Early Memories of Kwame Nkrumah

Before turning to Rawlings, Baffour shares recollections of Kwame Nkrumah, a close associate of his father's. He met Nkrumah on two occasions, including once when his father — appointed Vice Chancellor of what is now KNUST — introduced him personally. Baffour remembers Nkrumah as personable, humble, and warm despite his commanding public image. He notes that prominent figures of that era, such as K.B. Asante and Komla Agbeli Gbedemah, were "renaissance" figures who valued excellence, music, and the arts alongside their professional expertise.

First Encounters with Jerry Rawlings

Baffour's connection to Rawlings dates back to childhood, when both attended Mrs. Sam's School in Accra — Baffour in kindergarten, Rawlings in the primary section. Their paths diverged for years until the late 1980s, after Rawlings had returned to power, when Mrs. Rawlings — a family friend of the Baffours — arranged a meeting between the two men. They connected quickly over shared memories of growing up in Ghana, and Baffour says he was struck by Rawlings' deep passion for the country, partly because he had seen it from his own vantage point as head of state.

Shaping Rawlings' Public Image for the 1992 Transition

When Rawlings prepared to transition from military ruler to civilian leader ahead of the 1992 elections, Baffour — drawing on his television production background — helped build the visual and media identity of the newly formed National Democratic Congress (NDC). He worked closely with Mrs. Rawlings on rallies, congresses, and audiovisual materials, traveling the length and breadth of Ghana. Baffour says the experience deepened his appreciation for the country's cultural diversity, noting that local customs were consistently tied to their specific environments.

Reframing a Misunderstood Persona

Baffour pushes back on the public perception of Rawlings as merely a brash "Action Man." He insists that beneath the bluster was a humane, generous, and surprisingly humble figure — someone people misjudged because his commanding presence and history of executions under his military rule overshadowed his personal warmth. Baffour notes that Rawlings had a strong sense of humor and that their shared love of comedy helped cement their bond.

Rawlings' Complicated Relationship with Multi-party Democracy

According to Baffour, Rawlings was a "reluctant Democrat" who had reservations about multiparty democracy, fearing it would divide the nation. He reportedly favored a more participatory, unifying model where no group felt excluded. However, after consultative processes — including the National Commission for Democracy and a Consultative Assembly — revealed that Ghanaians wanted multiparty democracy, Rawlings accepted the people's will rather than imposing his own preference.

Behind-the-Scenes Moments as Media Adviser

Baffour clarifies that he served as a pro bono media consultant for Rawlings before formally working with the NDC after the political transition. In 1992, his responsibilities included organizing rallies and congresses and producing audiovisual content and documentaries. He also recalls being enlisted for cultural diplomacy duties — such as being present when Stevie Wonder visited, and emceeing a concert featuring Isaac Hayes and Dionne Warwick. He notes Rawlings had eclectic musical tastes, with a particular fondness for Elvis Presley alongside Ghanaian cultural music.

Disagreements and the Arkaah Punching Incident

Baffour acknowledges that he and Rawlings argued at times, though disputes never lasted long. He directly addresses a controversy involving then-Vice President — widely reported as a physical altercation — explaining that Rawlings denied punching him. According to Baffour's account, Rawlings was upset that the vice president had publicly criticized the government at a May Day event before attending a cabinet meeting, and asked him to leave the meeting as a result.

A More Human Side: Acts of Quiet Generosity

Baffour shares an anecdote about Rawlings stopping his car on Liberation Road to give an elderly, lost woman a ride home, later ensuring his bodyguards continued sending her provisions paid from his own salary. Baffour says Rawlings frequently helped people informally — funding education, supporting people's ambitions to become pilots or pursue other careers — often without public knowledge, with many such stories only surfacing after his death. He also notes Rawlings preferred a modest security presence and sometimes drove around the city himself, largely to stay connected with ordinary life rather than to monitor people.

Relationships with Successive Vice Presidents and Presidents

Atta Mills

Baffour was not directly involved in selecting Professor John Evans Atta Mills as the NDC's 1996 vice-presidential candidate, but recalls filming his acceptance speech. He says Rawlings personally praised Mills' intellect and humility, reportedly telling Baffour that if Mills ever became president, he hoped Baffour would work with him just as he had with Rawlings.

The 2000 Election Loss

Rawlings was reportedly unhappy that the NDC lost the 2000 election to John Kufuor, believing the party had "lost the plot" rather than lost fairly. Baffour suggests Rawlings, ever the soldier, simply resolved to regroup for 2004 and 2008. Baffour also notes Rawlings was philosophically opposed to Kufuor's "property-owning democracy" concept, arguing it risked making people more protective of their own assets at the expense of the wider population in a developing country.

John Kufuor

Baffour states he never personally heard Rawlings express hostility toward Kufuor as an individual, describing Kufuor himself as pleasant and not someone who harbors personal dislikes. He suggests any apparent animosity stemmed from party rivalry rather than a personal vendetta — though he acknowledges Rawlings' all-or-nothing political loyalty: "if you're not with him, you're against him."

The Removal of Diplomatic Privileges

Baffour criticizes the decision to strip Rawlings of his diplomatic privileges as petty and damaging to democratic norms, arguing that a former head of state's entitlements shouldn't be revoked over political disagreements. He says Rawlings was personally unbothered by the move, dismissing material possessions and the trappings of status.

John Atta Mills' Presidency (2009)

After Mills became president in 2009, Baffour says Rawlings made critical public remarks, partly because he felt the new administration was not pursuing corruption among officials of the previous government firmly enough. Baffour frames this less as personal animosity than as Rawlings' deep investment in the party he founded — illustrated by an anecdote of Rawlings angrily scolding a chef for breaking government-owned plates, insisting they belonged to "the Republic of Ghana," not to him personally.

A "Prophetic" Political Instinct

Baffour describes Rawlings as possessing an almost prophetic political instinct, drawing on years as head of state to foresee outcomes that others dismissed — until events proved him right. He likens this to a "Cassandra effect," where accurate warnings go unheeded, leading to frustration. Baffour believes successive governments underused Rawlings' institutional knowledge of statecraft, partly because his forceful personality made some reluctant to engage with him directly.

Personal Bond and Shared History

Baffour attributes his close relationship with Rawlings to shared cultural touchpoints — both had connections to Achimota School and 1960s Accra youth culture — and mutual interest in African history and world affairs. He recounts traveling with Rawlings to the United States (including a invitation to the Bush family ranch in Texas, reportedly an unprecedented honor stemming from a moment when Rawlings gave his own coat to a shivering George H.W. Bush at Sékou Touré's funeral) and to Nigeria during the Charles Taylor peace negotiations, a trip planned for two hours that stretched to five days.

He also recalls a memorable encounter in California, where Michael Jackson presented Rawlings with a ceremonial sword.

Rawlings' Final Years and Passing

Baffour recounts a visit with Rawlings after the death of his mother, a woman he describes as formidable and deeply influential in shaping her son. Baffour noticed Rawlings appeared tired and unwell at the time, though Rawlings brushed off concerns. Baffour learned of Rawlings' death on 12th November while returning home from a club; he describes struggling for two to three months to accept that his friend was truly gone, comparing the grief to losing his own father.

Reflections on Character, Flaws, and Legacy

Baffour says what he misses most is Rawlings' wisdom and his gift for contrarian thinking — an ability to view situations from unexpected angles that often proved correct in hindsight. He describes Rawlings as approachable to ordinary citizens, often inviting strangers in if they wanted to speak with him. Asked about flaws, Baffour points to a temper that could flare unpredictably, sometimes leading Rawlings to misjudge situations based on secondhand information.

Baffour states Rawlings never expressed regret about his time in office and was not inclined to play a "blame game," despite holding strong opinions about specific individuals.

Philosophical Views on Mortality

Baffour says Rawlings, a Catholic, often spoke philosophically about death and mortality — partly shaped by years as a soldier and head of state in a volatile region. Rawlings reportedly once said that had he not become a soldier, he might have become a priest.

The Unfinished Memoir

Baffour confirms Rawlings had been working on an autobiography, though its manuscript's whereabouts remain unknown. He expresses hope that it will eventually surface.

How Rawlings Wanted to Be Remembered

According to Baffour, Rawlings was uninterested in statues or monuments, expressing instead a wish to be remembered in the hearts of Ghanaians.

Key Takeaways

• Fritz Baffour's decades-long friendship with Jerry Rawlings began with a chance childhood connection and deepened after a meeting arranged by Mrs. Rawlings in the late 1980s, eventually leading him to help shape Rawlings' public image during the NDC's founding in 1992.
• Baffour challenges the popular image of Rawlings as solely a stern "Action Man," describing him instead as humane, generous, and quietly philanthropic — often helping ordinary citizens without seeking recognition.
• Rawlings was a "reluctant Democrat" who initially favored a more unifying, participatory political model over multiparty democracy, but accepted the public's preference once consultative processes made it clear.
• Rawlings reportedly had near-prophetic political instincts developed over his years as head of state, though Baffour believes subsequent leaders failed to fully draw on this experience.
• Personal anecdotes — including an unprecedented invitation to the Bush family ranch and a sword presentation by Michael Jackson — illustrate Rawlings' wide-reaching international relationships and reputation.
• Rawlings reportedly left behind an unfinished autobiography and expressed a wish to be remembered not through statues, but in the hearts of the Ghanaian people.