Dr Nyaho Nyaho-Tamakloe, a renowned statesman, veteran football administrator, and former diplomat has alleged that five nurses vanished from the country shortly after the passing of former President, Flt. Lt. Jerry John Rawlings.
Dr Nyaho-Tamakloe alleged that over five nurses who attended to the former president at the Cardiothoracic Unit allegedly left the country shortly after his death.
According to him, Rawlings’ cousin, “Michael Sosuoudis, informed me that these five nurses vanished from the country shortly after Rawlings’s passing.
Allegedly, they have flown abroad and have only maintained sporadic contact with Michael, expressing their condolences,” he revealed.
He further recounted an alleged remark made by two Captains of Ghana Armed Forces after the death of former President, Flt. Lt. Jerry John Rawlings.
According to Nyaho Tamakloe, there were whispers from two retired captains of the Ghana Armed Forces who he is familiar with following Rawlings’s death allegedly stating ‘Mission accomplished’.
The ex-military medical doctor emphasised that such a statement carries grave implications in military parlance.
Nyaho Tamakloe called on an impartial and thorough inquiry into the death of Ghana’s former President, Flt. Lt. Jerry John Rawlings.
In his latest book, A Nation into Retirement: The Narrative of a Statesman, Nyaho Tamakloe wrote, “These unexplained circumstances deepen the mystery surrounding Rawlings’s death. It is crucial that we uphold the principles of accountability and transparency, particularly in matters involving national figures. Only through clarity and truth can we address the concerns of those left behind and preserve the integrity of our systems”.
“There are whispers of involvement from two retired captains of the Ghana Armed Forces. I am familiar with these individuals, and they know me personally. Their actions following Rawlings’s death—particularly their alleged remark, ‘Mission accomplished’—warrant scrutiny. In military parlance, such a statement carries grave implications,” he stated.
“Such an inquiry must compel all relevant individuals, including these captains, to share what they know,” he urged.
Nyaho Tamakloe further questioned the medical protocols observed during Rawlings’s final days at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital.
He asserted that an autopsy and full pathology report, especially one including chemical analysis, should have been performed and widely disclosed.
“In all civilised nations, autopsies are standard, following the death of a former head of state. If such an examination were carried out, the findings should be disclosed to the public. This is crucial for clarity and accountability.”
Dr Nyaho-Tamakloe’s comments shore up growing calls for a Commission of Inquiry to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of the former president, who led Ghana from 1981 to 2001.
Jerry John Rawlings died at the age of 73. He led two coups, first in 1979, before twice being elected president in multiparty polls.
He died in Korle Bu Teaching Hospital in the capital, Accra, after a short illness.
Meanwhile, Dr Nyaho-Tamakloe’s 700-page memoir narrates his journey and reflections on Ghana’s complex political landscape.
Dr Nyaho-Tamakloe stated, “This book is to teach and let the youth know what happened 68 years ago because that will help them adjust themselves to the present challenges facing not only this country but the world at large”.
“It appears there have been a lot of distortions in our history books. The true state of what happened has not been reported, and I feel the youth must know the truth, particularly about the military regimes,” he added.