His death came three weeks after he buried his mother, after which he took ill and admitted at the nation’s hospital, Korle Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra, the country’s capital.
A week of national mourning has been announced by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
Akufo-Addo directed that national flags should fly at half-mast for the next seven days in honour of the memory of Rawlings.
The President also declared seven days of national mourning from today to November 20.
In a statement announcing the passing of the former President, the President said he, together with deputy Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, have suspended their political campaigns for the same period.
In the statement, Akufo-Addo expressed sympathies to former First Lady, Nana Konadu Agyemang-Rawlings, her children and the family of the late President.
He said the government would work closely with the family Rawlings’ President on the arrangements for a fitting state funeral and would keep the nation informed accordingly.