National Chief Imam Sheikh Nuhu Sharubutu (L) in one of his numerous meetings with former President Rawlings

The National Chief Imam, Sheikh Usman Nuhu Sharubutu has said the memory of the late President Jerry John Rawlings will to down in history as the president with the most significant contribution to political development of the country.

The Chief Imam made the comments in reaction to the news of the death of the former President.

In a statement issued on behalf of the Chief Imam by his Spokesperson Sheikh Armiyawo Shuaibu, noted that that “in the death of His Excellency the former president, both the family and the nation as a whole have lost a great inspirational leader, a pillar, an iconic political figure and a statesman.”

The statement added that, “For the bereaved family in particular, the loss of a personality of such eminence cannot go without emotional pain and agony, but as people of faith, we share the common belief that death is unquestionably a destiny common to all humans which occurs at a time divinely determined and immutably fixed.”

On his own behalf and on behalf of all Imams, Zongo Chiefs and the entire Muslim Community, the Chief Imam expressed “his deepest sympathies and condolence to both the immediate and extended family members” of the former President and the “nation at large.”

“Indeed the memory of his Excellency Jerry John Rawlings, the former president, will go down on record as the president with the most significant contribution to Ghana’s political development in recent history.

“It is therefore most befitting that we honour his memory even as the family and nation mourn his departure from mundane life,” the statement added.

Mr Rawlings passed away Thursday morning at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra.

He was 73 years old.