B.K. Adama to be given state burial

Accra, Nov. 4, GNA - President John Agyekum Kufuor on Tuesday directed that Mr Bukari Kpegla Adama, an astute Politician, should be honoured with a state burial at his hometown, Busa, near Wa in the Upper West Region.

He said Mr Adama was a politician, who went through all the vicissitudes politicians in developing countries went through before he died.

The honour would serve as morale booster to the youth to serve the nation.

President Kufuor gave the directive at the Castle, Osu when the family of Mr Adama officially informed the Government about his death. Mr Adama, 78, died last Sunday, November 2 at the 37 Military Hospital after a short illness and would be buried on Thursday, November 6 at his hometown.

President Kufuor said the Mr Adama offered a selfless service to the country and had strong sense for justice and always ensured that the best form of governance for Ghana's development was maintained. He said Mr Adama was a nationalist, who remained committed to the traditions of the United Party (UP) and contributed to deliberations that led to the formation of the Popular Front Party (PFP) in 1979 and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in 1993.

Mr R. R. Amponsah, Chairman of NPP Council of Elders, said Mr Adama, as an Executive Member of the Northern People's Party (NPP), played a leading role in the merger between the Northern People's Party (NPP) and the National Liberation Movement (NLM) that formed the United Party (UP) in the 1950s.

Mr Amponsah said Mr Adama was not only reliable and loyal but always sacrificed his time and whatever he had for the service of the parties. The Senior Minister, Mr J. H. Mensah said the only tribute the people of Wa could offer to the memory of Mr Adama was to ensure that peace was maintained in Wa.

"The late Adama was a man of peace, who tried to ensure that peace prevailed in Wa. As a tribute to his memory, the family and people of Wa should help the Government to achieve an enduring peace in Wa", he said. Mr Adama born on November 15, 1925 was a Field Assistant in the Medical Field Unit of the Ministry of Health (1945-54) before he became a Member of Parliament for Wala South Constituency and Opposition Chief Whip in the National Assembly of the First Republic.

He later went to the United Kingdom in 1957 to undertake a course on Parliamentary Procedure and became an Executive member of the UP and served on the Constitutional Conference for Ghana's Independence, he was also the Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee of the First Republic between 1960-62.

Mr Adama became a transport owner and Member of Parliament for Wa Constituency under the Progress Party (PP) during the Second Republic 1969-72.

He was appointed the Minister of Defence; Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs; Member Business Committee, Standing Orders Committee, Chairman, the Selection Committee and the House Committee. Alhaji Naa Abubakari Salifu, Bisikaan Na, who led the family, presented a bowl of cola to President Kufuor.

Present was Vice President Alhaji Aliu Mahama.