<p>The renaming ceremony, held on Monday, coincided with what would have been Rawlings’ 79th birthday and formed part of a broader programme commemorating his political legacy and contributions to Ghana’s democratic development.</p><p>President John Dramani Mahama led the event, unveiling a commemorative plaque and a bust of the late statesman at the newly named headquarters. Senior government officials, party executives, members of the Rawlings family, and supporters of the NDC attended the ceremony.</p><p>Addressing participants, President Mahama described the renaming as an important act of institutional memory, stressing the need to preserve the history and ideals upon which the NDC was founded. He noted that the gesture would help future generations appreciate the sacrifices and leadership that shaped both the party and Ghana’s Fourth Republic.</p><p>The decision to name the headquarters after Rawlings follows proposals announced by the party in 2025 to strengthen recognition of its founding history. NDC National Chairman Johnson Asiedu Nketiah had argued that naming party headquarters after founders is a common practice worldwide and an appropriate way to preserve the legacy of the party’s founder.</p><p>Representing the Rawlings family, Kimathi Rawlings expressed appreciation for the honour, describing it as a meaningful recognition of his father’s enduring influence on Ghanaian politics and national development.</p><p>The ceremony was held under the theme, “From Revolution to Fourth Republic: The Rawlings Legacy,” and was followed by activities including a public lecture and exhibition reflecting on Rawlings’ role in Ghana’s political evolution.</p><p>Jerry John Rawlings, who founded the NDC in 1992, served as Ghana’s President from 1993 to 2001 and remains one of the most influential figures in the country’s modern political history. He passed away in November 2020 at the age of 73.</p><p>The renaming of the party’s headquarters is expected to further cement Rawlings’ place in the NDC’s institutional identity and historical narrative as the party continues to celebrate his legacy.</p><p>Photo credit: Graphic Online</p>