Govt mourns

Page 3, September 25/2008

Story: Charles Benoni Okine

THE government says it has received with deep shock and sorrow the sudden demise of the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Mr Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu, in South Africa after short illness.
The visibly grief-stricken Vice President, Alhaji Aliu Mahama, who is acting as President in the absence of President Kufuor, said “it is really a sad piece of news to us and we simply do not know what to say about it”.
“The cause of death and other information surrounding this news is scanty and we are waiting for the full facts,” he added.
His comments were in response to the expression of condolences from the new United States of America (USA) Ambassador to Ghana, Mr Donald Gene Teitelbum, who was at the Castle to pay a courtesy call on him.
He would not comment further on the announcement of the sudden death of the Finance Minister, whom many revered and cherished for his affable character.
Mr Teitelbum described the Finance Minister as a brilliant, intelligent and knowledgeable minister who was on top of his job.
“We grief and mourn with you and we hope you accept our deepest condolences for this loss,” he added.
And on the premises of the Castle, workers, including the presidential security, cleaners, cooks and fuel attendants, were standing in groups discussing the death of one of the country’s most revered minister and the first minister to be appointed by President Kufuor when he assumed the reigns of government in 2001.
Those who could simply not hold back their tears were seen wiping their faces in grief while others narrated how his human relations made him the toast at every function.
Meanwhile a release from the Office of the Chief of Staff said President John Agyekum Kufuor had been informed about the sad story.
The release signed by the Chief of Staff and Minister of Presidential Affairs, Mr Kwadwo Mpiani, said: “He (the President) has expressed shock about this sudden death, and has requested that his condolences should be extended to his elderly mother, his wife, children and the rest of the family”.