Veep leads team to mourn Baah-Wiredu

Page 30, September 26/2008

Story: Charles Benoni Okine

THE Vice-President, Alhaji Aliu Mahama, yesterday led a large delegation of government ministers, their deputies and other state functionaries to the official residence of their late colleague and Finance Minister, Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu, to mourn with his family.
Immediately the delegation arrived, the large crowd of mourners, which included the Omanhene of the Agogo Traditional Area, Nana Akuoko Sarpong, burst into tears, with some wailing uncontrollably because of the absence of the departed relative and friend.
Typical of Ashantis, the bereaved family and other sympathisers present were clad in black, with red bands around their wrists, heads and feet to signify their mournful state.
Among the ministerial delegation were Mr Kwadwo Mpiani, the Minister of Presidential Affairs and Chief of Staff, Office of the President; Dr Richard Anane, the Minister of Transportation; Dr Kwame Addo-Kufuor, the Minister of the Interior; Professor Christopher Ameyaw-Akumfi, the Minister of Harbours and Railways; Mr Albert Kan-Dapaah, the Minister of Defence; Mr Kwame Ampofo-Twumasi, the Deputy Minister of Energy; Mrs Gladys Asmah, the Minister of Fisheries; Ms Elizabeth Ohene, Minister of State, Ministry of Education, Science and Sports; Dr Anthony Akoto Osei, Minister of State, Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning; Mrs Oboshie Sai Cofie, the Minister of Tourism, and Mr J.H. Mensah, the Chairman of the National Development Planning Commission.
The Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Dr Paul Acquah, and his deputies and other senior officials of the bank, as well as Mr Ishak Diwan, the Country Director of the World Bank, were also present to express their condolences to the family.
Also present were the running mate of the flag bearer of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, his wife, Samia, and the General Secretary of the NPP, Nana Ohene Ntow.
After members of the delegation had expressed their condolences to the bereaved family, they proceeded in turns to sign a book of condolence opened for the friends and sympathisers of the late minister to write their last words.
“Kwadwo, rest in peace” were what the Vice-President wrote in the book which was placed in front of a large picture of the late Mr Baah-Wiredu.
In a brief remark prior to the signing of the book, Mr Mpiani told the chief linguist of the Omanhene of Agogo that the death of their colleague was a heavy blow, not only to the government and family but the entire nation as well.
“Before his departure, we saw nothing wrong with him; he did not look sick, so I could simply not believe it when the news hit me in the office on the morning of Wednesday,” he said.
According to Mr Mpiani, he had spoken on telephone with Mr Baah-Wiredu, adding, “Nothing sounded in his voice that he was suffering any ailment.”
He said the President was devastated by the news, just as any other person who knew Mr Baah-Wiredu’s worth.