A founding member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nyaho Nyaho-Tamakloe, has challenged the widely held belief that former President Jerry John Rawlings died from COVID-19, calling for an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death.
Speaking in an interview with GhanaWeb, Dr. Nyaho-Tamakloe insisted that available information contradicts the official narrative, describing some circulating accounts as false.
“What I have narrated to you is a complete fallacy, lies. I have never been to Rawlings’ doctor. I’ve never been to Rawlings’ house residence. Never, ever,” he said.
He recounted how shortly after Rawlings’ death, a report emerged linking him to the late president’s medical care—claims he strongly denied. According to him, checks conducted at the Nyaho Clinic found no record of Rawlings ever being treated there.
“I checked it, cross-check it with my own cousin… and it was a lie. He had two tests and they came out negative,” he stated.
Dr. Nyaho-Tamakloe further argued that the absence of publicly available medical details surrounding Rawlings’ death raises serious concerns. He questioned why no autopsy results have been disclosed.
“A man of Rawlings’ calibre and level, a former president, cannot die without an autopsy being done… if an autopsy had been done, they should bring it out so that the nation sees it,” he said.
He also made further claims regarding events after Rawlings’ passing, including allegations about healthcare personnel and military officers, which he believes warrant deeper scrutiny.
“I have asked government to set up an independent commission of enquiry to find out what really killed Rawlings,” he added.
Dr. Nyaho-Tamakloe said there has been no official response to his call for an inquiry but maintained that the truth must be established.
“Rawlings, to me, didn’t die through COVID. He didn’t die through COVID… one day will come out,” he stated.
Former President Jerry John Rawlings, Ghana’s longest-serving leader, died in November 2020 at the age of 73. His death was widely reported to be linked to COVID-19 complications, though these latest claims are likely to reignite public debate over the exact cause.
