The JJ Rawlings' Website - My Analysis

Many opinions have been expressed about the website of ex-president JJ Rawlings, (www.jjrawlings.info) which was launched recently. I respect all the opinions expressed and would now want to take my turn to voice out mine.

The editor’s aim of setting up the site needs to be commended. Many are getting interested in the life of the ex-president hence there is the need to have a ready information source for that. Moreover, for the sake of history, a well-packaged information source like this is a great help. This site will also serve as an aid for indepth political analysis by academicians, researchers, and everyone interested in making political analysis.

As a young Ghanaian student, i am begining to learn a lot from this website.

The design of the website is not bad at all. In fact, I like simple and informational websites and for me, the design is very refreshing and cool. I have no problem about the design. Navigation is excellent, you will never get lost in your search for information.

His Biography has been covered into details giving interested persons the relevant information about the man. His school days right to his professional career has been talked about. His political life has also been covered very well starting right from the beginning, with his military rule, to the end (where he ruled as a democratic president).

However, I believe the editor should continue researching and list more achievements than he has done. Having ruled for 19years and knowing how hardworking the man is, I think he did far more than has been listed. It will be prudent for the editor to continue fishing into the other achievements and thus give due credit to the man.

Having talked about achievements, there is also the need to highlight failures, mistakes and regrets. The information should also give a background into the political atmosphere at the time so readers can make a good analysis of the actions and/or inactions of the man.

The Gallery page, in my opinion, needs more photos. I believe it should have photos reflecting the entire life and work of the ex-president arranged in an order than will make anyone, at least, follow the life of the man without even having to read the biography, achievements and the like.

Even though the editor has mentioned that more materials would be added to the website from time to time, I will urge him to find pictures to depict almost every area of his life. To make things clearer, there could be a picture or two of his school days in Achimota School, one or two of when he was in the Military Academy, and then we move to his coup days to his military rule, then democratic rule and then his after president life. His family has also not been captured very much. The man has 3 daughters and a son. Two daughters (Ezenator and Amina) were highlighted but the other daughter (Yaa Asantewa) and the son (Kimati) were nowhere to be found on the gallery.

I also want to urge the general public, Office of the Former President and anybody who has information, videos, audios, and other materials of the former president to send it to the editor of this website so as to enrich the website. I think this website should be a national asset depicting our rich history.

At this point, I need to commend the editor for a good selection of speeches and videos. In my opinion, these selections bring out the true character of the man. In spite of what has been written or said about the man, when you read the speeches and watch the videos you really get to know who the man really is.

Judging from the videos and speeches, I believe he is a selfless man and a true panafricanist. Many people hide behind intellect to speak to impress but this is a man who speaks with passion and says things exactly the way he feels about them. In that vein, I am convinced that he is a selfless, down to earth person and a true panafricanist. He is not someone who will take up leadership for the sake of the benefits the office will bring. He clearly explained the reason for his taking over power during his military time as a desire to save an explosive situation.

I believe that we needed a person like him to lead us at the time in order to save the situation. He passionately also talks about the exploitation being metted to us (Africans) by the western world. And this clearly highlights his panafrican spirit. He also believes in democracy. This he demonstrated pointing out condemning the interviewer for thinking he wasn’t going to hand over power after his term of office.

Wait a minute! I did not see advertisements on the website. Why? Are companies not interested in advertising on this website? I believe the former president himself is interested in promoting the private sector so please editor, let us sees some adverts.

How about discussion fora? chatrooms etc. How do we discuss issues about the former president on the website?

To run up, I would like to say that the move (creating a source of information about the ex-president) is a good one. The biography I believe has been well covered. More achievements need to be added. Failures, mistakes and regrets should also be highlighted. The Gallery should be improved with the addition of more relevant pictures depicting important stages of the ex-president’s life. And for the videos and speeches, perfect work, it brings out the true personality of the ex-president. We should all send in materials to the editor to enrich the website (www.jjrawlings.info).

This is my opinion. I don’t know about you

The Author is a BSc Admin. Student of the University of Ghana, Legon

Views expressed by the author(s) do not necessarily reflect those of GhanaHomePage.