Ford Kamel goes home

THE VOLTA Regional Capital, Ho, stood still as the mortal remains of the late Volta Regional Minister, Henry Ford Kamel, were laid in state at the Jubilee Park.

The body, which was flown from Accra, was received by Deputy Volta Regional Minister Henry Ametefe, Municipal and District Chief Executives, Regional Executives of the ruling NDC and others at the 66 Artillery Regiment in Ho.


As the cortege moved through the municipality to the Jubilee Park amidst sirens, residents, mostly clad in red and black attires, poured onto the streets to wave as some sobbed and screamed to express their grief.


Pupils in the municipality had a half day as teachers prepared to attend the brief service.


State offices were all closed as workers thronged the Jubilee Park.


At the Jubilee Park, which was full to capacity, residents, dignitaries and family members broke down in tears intermittently as they paid their last respects to Mr Kamel who many described as a visionary and a dynamic person.


The Moderator of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Right Reverend Francis Amenu, who gave a sermon, noted that the death of the minister was definitely a big blow to the entire country and not the just the widow, family and the ruling NDC.

He said the minister’s sudden death was a wakeup call to all Ghanaians that “our lives are not ours”, adding that everybody should live a righteous life so that one would be assured of heaven if death came unexpectedly.


He also urged the minister’s family not to be dismayed because God knew best and that He would guide them through this tough moment and make them see the benefit of their beloved’s death.


After the sermon, the body was conveyed to the Volta Regional Coordinating Council and the late Kamel’s residence for some rituals. The cortege made a stopover at Hohoe, the central point of the Gbi Traditional Area.


According to sources, a grand durbar awaited the late minister.


The Hohoe Municipal Hospital Junction was besieged by a large crowd who waited to pay their last respects.


Chiefs and people from all the divisions of the Gbi Traditional Area were there.

After a brief stop and the performance of some rituals, the body was sent to Guaman, the minister’s hometown, which is in the Jasikan district. Wake was kept in his honour.


The final funeral and burial rites of the late minister will be done today.


Present at the laying in state at the Jubilee Park was Helen Ntoso, Volta Regional Minister-designate, acting Deputy Minister, Henry


Ametefe, Mark Wayongo, Interior Minister, Togbe Lawluvi, the Volta regional representative on the Council of State, Municipal and District


Chief Executives and Members of Parliament of the region.