Dr. Hanna Louisa Bisiw-Kotei, Administrator of the Minerals Development Fund and National Democratic Congress (NDC) Women’s Organiser, has said that she frequently argued with passengers in Kumasi trotros who shouted out against the late former President Jerry John Rawlings.
Dr. Bisiw-Kotei told Channel One TV that she never remained mute when people criticized Rawlings or the NDC.
“Our family house is at Kumasi Tanoso, and in those days, I would take a trotro. I think I changed about three times before I got to Adum because I would fight in the car. They would be insulting President Rawlings, they would be insulting the NDC, and I would be fighting back,” she recounted.
She explained that her reaction stemmed from her inability to comprehend why people criticised Rawlings, whom she regarded as a transformational leader.
“I didn’t understand why such a great man would be castigated by the very people he came to help. He carried cocoa, he cleaned the gutters, he did so much for us,” she said.
The late President Jerry John Rawlings, who first ruled Ghana as a military leader before becoming a democratically elected president, remains one of the nation’s most charismatic figures.
He is widely admired for his bold reforms, including anti-corruption campaigns, efforts to instill discipline, and initiatives that strengthened grassroots development.
However, he also faced sharp criticism from opponents who accused him of authoritarian tendencies.
Rawlings is remembered for stabilising Ghana’s economy during challenging times, implementing key structural reforms, and advocating for the welfare of ordinary citizens.
His hands-on leadership style—symbolised by acts such as cleaning gutters with citizens and engaging farmers in cocoa-growing communities—cemented his popularity among the masses.
