Funeral Service for late member of Council of State

Accra, Jan.19, GNA- Hailed as a Patriot, Politician, Diplomat, Barrister and Author, the mortal remains of the 77-old Member of the Council of State, Mr Kwesi Enokpelley Armah, was on Friday buried in Accra, after a State Funeral service.

A number of dignitaries, including Vice President Alhaji Aliu Mahama, the First Lady, Mrs Theresa Kufuor, Ministers of State, Speaker of Parliament, Mr Sakyi Hughes and Diplomats filed past the body, which lied in State at the Ridge Methodist Church where he was a staunch member.

Mr Armah, who was a key member of the Convention People's Party (CPP) and former High Commissioner to Britain was eulogised by tributes read by family members, friends, the State, CPP, a representative of the Ghana National College Old Students' Association and the Oxford and Cambridge Association (Ghana).

He was described as a socialist who did not compromise his Christian beliefs, a nationalist, whose zeal in upholding the interest of the State was unbending.

Mr Joseph Henry Mensah, Senior Minister, who read a speech on behalf of the State, described Mr Armah as a man who exhibited extreme loyalty and attachment to Ghana's first President, the late Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah.

Mr Mensah who served with the late Member of the Council of State during the first republic said Mr Armah fell under the spell of Dr Nkrumah and dedicated his life to him.

"He was one of the few to be called genuine loyalist to Nkrumah... During Ghana's year of Jubilee, it is cruel that he did not live to witness the anniversary," he said.

A tribute read on behalf of Alhaji Dr Ahmad Tejan Kabbah, President of Sierra Leone described Mr Armah as a friend and a brother, who was a driving force of Africa in global diplomacy.

He cited his efforts in the formation of the Organisation of African Unity, restructuring of the Commonwealth, disarmament, world peace and the imperative factor of China's resumption of membership of the United Nations and a seat on the Security Council.

Professor Adjei Bekoe, Chairman of the Council of State said Mr Armah was a firm believer in the rule of law and always drew attention to issues of fair play and good governance.

Prof. Alexander Kwapong, former Chairman of the Council said Mr Armah loyally and faithfully carried out the foreign and pan-African policy objectives of Dr Kwame Nkrumah from his strategic position in London.

Delivering the sermon, Most Rev.Dr Robert Aboagye-Mensah, Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church, Ghana, said the late Mr Armah was able to blend politics with faith in God. "Our country needs more of such citizens to make our democracy more vibrant," he observed.