“Cadres may come. Cadres may go. But the revolution has come to stay.” Cecilia has gone on, as all cadres must, eventually. And while we mourn her passing, we celebrate her life and her struggles for a better society. She lives on as a hero who dared to fight for those weaker than herself and for society, and for what she believed was right. She rests now in Peace and in Power. Others will recount her professional and political career, culminating in her appointment to the high office of Chair of the Council of State – and her graceful withdrawal from public life thereafter. Still others will speak of her as a family member – as a daughter, a sister, a partner, and a mother – her proudest and most joyous role in life. Many will speak of her lifelong commitment to gender equality, both as a student leader and with her beloved 31st December Women’s Movement. Cecilia was a giant in many ways and deserves all the adulation and praise that her sad passing has wrought from so many. As the Forum for Sustainable Development, we worked closely with Cecilia at a critical moment: the transition from a PNDC rule to constitutionalism and the development of a viable, progressive politics for the 4th Republic. We can attest to her wisdom in foresight regarding the political challenges that would follow the ratification of the 1992 Constitution. We can speak to her courage in challenging the reactionary agendas that sought return the country to its socalled “traditional” duopoly or to build a party based solely on the personality of Chairman Rawlings of blessed memory, and in demanding a new politics based on the struggle and lessons (sometimes bitter!) of 31st December – especially for someone that occupied the sensitive position that she did in proximity to the first family. From the Forum for Sustainable Development 1990 - 1992 T R I B U T E 1 1946 MRS. CECILIA JOHNSON 2025 64 A Loving Farewell
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