Kufuor calls for calm in late Minister's Constituency

Accra, Oct. 9, GNA - President John Agyekum Kufuor has called for calm in the Asante-Akim North Constituency, as the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) looked for a candidate to fill the vacant seat of the late Finance Minister, Mr Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu.

The Minister, he said, was such a good person and that it would be unfortunate to allow the search for his successor to be marred by any unhealthy power struggle, accusations and confusion.


Whatever has happened, sad and painful as it was, should be accepted in good faith.


This was when a delegation made of members of the bereaved family, chiefs and the NPP called on him on Thursday at the Credentials Hall of the Castle, Osu, in line with Akan tradition to officially inform him of Mr Baah-Wiredu's death.


Nana Kwame Akuoko-Sarpong, Omanhene of Agogo, led the delegation. Vice President Alhaji Aliu Mahama, Dr. Jim Heymann, Ghana's Ambassador to South Africa, Ministers and Members of Parliament were among those present. They were all clad in red and black to signify that they were mourning.


President Kufuor counselled that they held consultations to choose a consensus candidate.

The body of the late Finance Minister would lie in state at the forecourt of the Parliament House for a state funeral on Thursday, November 6.


On November 7, the body would be conveyed to Agogo, his hometown and buried the next day, November 8. President Kufuor paid glowing tribute to the late Minister, who he said, served the nation with distinction. It was therefore the responsibility of the nation to accord him the dignity that he deserved.


The late Baah-Wiredu, he recounted, was the first Minister he appointed to his Government on assumption of political power, adding that, wherever, he served, he was simply fantastic. Ghana would forever remain grateful to him. "My prayer is that the good Lord gives him perfect rest", President Kufuor said.


Nana Akuoko-Sarpong thanked the Government for the show of support and the entire nation, for the solidarity with the people of Agogo in their difficult moment. The late Baah-Wiredu died in South Africa on September 24. 09 Oct. 2008