Jerry Rawlings was a prominent Ghanaian military officer and politician who served as the President of Ghana from 1981 to 2001. He initially came to power through a coup in 1979 and later led another coup in 1981, establishing a military government. Rawlings was known for his efforts to combat corruption and promote economic reforms in the country. After transitioning Ghana to a multi-party democracy in the 1990s, Rawlings was elected president in 1992 and re-elected in 1996. His leadership was marked by significant political and economic changes, and he remains a controversial figure in Ghanaian history.