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Azumah Nelson eulogizes Former President Rawlings
Ghanaian boxing legend, Azumah Nelson, has eulogised the late former President Fl.Lt. John Jerry Rawlings, describing him as “A true champion like no other”.
In a statement the three times World Boxing Champion noted that the death leaves a lot of void in his family, because he played service above self.
Read full statement below
Thursday 12th November, is a day I will never forget. It’s a day that brought me
excruciating pain after my number one fan and mentor, J.J. Rawlings passed away.
His death leaves an unfillable void in my life. To the world, His Excellency J.J. Rawlings was an influential Statesman etched in Ghana’s history as a dynamic force who helped shape the foundation of our beloved Ghana.
Away from the spotlight, he was even more dynamic and impactful.
A profoundly thoughtful man who placed service above self, J.J. Rawlings hugely shaped my view on life, work, and many other things.
I will forever thank God for his wise and
confidential counsel. If he were before me today, I would say, without haste, that
undeniably, God used you to change my life into the man the world celebrates today, as a former world boxing champion.
You are indeed the true champion, a champion like no other.When I think of you and the impact you had on my professional career, and on the careers of countless others, you are unquestionably Godsent! I dedicated my biography, “The Professor” to you, because you taught me so many life-building skills that played a direct role in bringing out the champion in me.
You believed in me, even when I doubted myself. As the true professor, you shared “lessons in life” that demonstrated humility,
gratitude and faith.During your time as the Head of State, you showed effortless humility by cleaning my room and ensuring that my fellow boxing colleagues and I had a place to rest after rigorous training.
Always a man of subtle acts of kindness, for years while I trained as a struggling
boxer, I would randomly receive portions of beans and gari. It wasn’t until many years later that I discovered we were beneficiaries of the debt you owed the beans sellers. You even rented an apartment for me.
In return, you only asked me to train hard and represent our beloved Ghana for the world to see that greatness can come from Ghana, the true gateway to Africa.
When it came to counsel, you freely shared priceless guidance with me. When I wanted to join the military after representing the force at the World Military Games where I won gold, you advised me against it saying “you saw greatness in me and joining the force will limit my growth in boxing”.
You saw things I didn’t see. I dare say you are a prophet we failed to acknowledge.
I speak on behalf of many of your mentees, and give you our heartfelt thanks. You have
motivated us, enabled us, supported us and promoted our personal growth and professional development.
You recognized our individual potentials and helped us reach that potential and beyond. We all have similar stories to share about how you have personally advanced our careers and still continued to help us, until your untimely demise.
We collectively represent your leadership and mentorship legacy.“Leaders like you are true champions, fighting in the ring of life, where bouts can bring you down, you pushed on, rose above and won.
And as a true champion, you shared your
greatness with others, empowering them to rise higher and help make Ghana, Africa, the world a better place for all.”
Rest well, and know that your undeniable legacy is etched in the minds of all, and many generations ahead will celebrate you. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Journey well Papa J, A True Champion like No Other.
Fondly, Azumah Nelson
Troubled and anxious citizens in Damongo of the Savannah Region have expressed concerns about the number of young people, believed to be under the age of 18, involved in ‘shisha’ smoking in pubs and drinking spots within the township.
Eyewitnesses say the minors were seen patronising nightlife venues, where Shisha smoking happen in the open.
The situation has sparked renewed public concern over the enforcement of child protection laws and regulations governing the operations of entertainment centres in the municipality and country as a whole.
An eyewitness, who spoke to The Spectator on conditions of anonymity for security reasons, noted that the situation was becoming increasingly common.
“This is not a one-off incident. It is becoming very common, but residents like us cannot openly report or speak about it because our lives will be at risk,” he said.
Under Ghanaian law, minors were prohibited from patronising Shisha.
Public health experts have consistently warned that shisha use exposes users to harmful substances that can negatively affect brain development, respiratory health, and overall well-being, particularly among young people.
The residents believe the alleged incidents point to broader challenges relating to youth supervision, substance abuse, and weak enforcement of existing regulations and have called on municipal authorities, security agencies, and regulatory bodies to intensify monitoring of pubs and entertainment centres to ensure compliance with the law.
In an effort to address the menace, Mr Salisu Be-Awurbi, the Savannah Regional Minister, has led public education campaigns, engaged security agencies, and supported enforcement actions to address the rising use of illicit substances in the region.
Wura Kelly Seidu Boresah I, the Chief of Damongo, has also called on all stakeholders including parents, community leaders, institutions, and young people to actively support efforts to curb drug abuse, warning that the rising consumption of hard drugs poses a serious health threat to the future of the youth in the Savannah Region.
He also cautioned individuals involved in the sale and distribution of illicit drugs to immediately desist from the practice, stressing that offenders will face arrest and prosecution in accordance with the law.
From Geoffrey Buta, Damongo, Savannah Region
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Dr Theresa Baffour, an advocate for ending violence and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of SAHM SAHW Foundation, has said that society plays a critical and pivotal role in breaking the cycle of domestic violence.
According to her, domestic violence is a major contributor of making women, who are mostly the victims, mentally derailed and unable to engage in economic activities.
She said this when the foundation called on the Ga Mantse, Nii Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, to solicit support for the initiative by the “Strong and Healthy Minds, Strong and Healthy Women” (SAHM SAHW) to combat domestic violence within the Ga State.
The visit was occasioned by the fact that domestic violence cases have become quite prevalent in the Ga communities and is retarding growth.
According to her, the canker was an impediment to national development because the victims were usually tortured and would have to go through series of therapies to return to the right state of mind.
Dr Baffour mentioned that Gender-Based Violence (GBV) places a mental toll on women, and was, therefore, important to break the cycle through comprehensive mental health support, crisis intervention and empowerment programmes in communities with high rates of GBV.
This intervention, she underscored, would help in empowering the denigrated victim of domestic violence to soundly heal, build and thrive.
Dr Baffour added that the initiative would provide holistic, trauma-informed mental health care and advocacy for young women affected by domestic violence.
According to her, the above statement would create safe spaces for healing and equipping them with entrepreneurial skills for renewed hope and empowered life.
The Ga Mantse pledged his support for the laudable initiative to combat domestic violence and also acknowledged the need to address it in the Ga State.
Further endorsement came from Justice Julia Naa-Yarley Adjei Amoah, Chief of Staff at the Office of the Ga Mantse, as she commended the team of SAHM SAHW Foundation for taking a bold step to end the canker in the Greater Accra.
She added that it was a step in the right direction to save vulnerable women from torture, stress and emotional abuse.
By Alfred Nii Arday Ankrah
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