Victoria Agbotui was the mother of Jerry John Rawlings, the former President of Ghana, and played an influential role in his life and career.

Born in the early 20th century in Ghana’s Volta Region, she came from the Ewe ethnic group, known for their rich cultural traditions and close-knit community values.

Her upbringing in this environment helped instill discipline, resilience, and a strong sense of identity, qualities she later passed on to her son.

Agbotui worked as a caterer and served in various capacities in the public sector, including as the head of catering at Ghana’s presidency during Kwame Nkrumah’s era.

She was known for her work ethic and commitment to excellence, which left a lasting impression on Jerry Rawlings during his formative years.

Despite the challenges of single-handedly raising him after his father, a Scottish chemist, left the family, Agbotui ensured that Rawlings received a solid foundation in life.

As a mother, Victoria Agbotui’s influence extended beyond nurturing; she was a moral compass and a guiding force for her son. Her encouragement and support were pivotal when Rawlings, a young air force officer, embarked on his journey into Ghanaian politics.

His leadership, which began with a coup in 1979 and saw him serve as both a military and civilian leader, was deeply rooted in his mother’s values of justice, accountability, and service to the people.