Kufuor consoles late Chief Justice's Family

Accra, March 27, GNA - President John Agyekum said on Tuesday that the death of Chief Justice George Kingsley Acquah was a serious blow to the balance of the nation.

"It is a big loss to the entire nation", he said, when he visited the Cantonments residence of the late Chief Justice to console his widow, Jane, and the family.

He was accompanied by some high raking Government officials, including the Chief of Staff and Minister of Presidential Affairs, Mr Kwadwo Mpiani; Foreign Minister, Nana Addo Dankwah Akufo-Addo; Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Mr Joe Ghartey and Mr Francis Poku, Minister of National Security.

President Kufuor said the Government would liaise with them to ensure that Justice Acquah was given a fitting burial. He later signed a book of condolence opened for him and wrote "His conscientious and focused service as Head of the Judiciary and also upholding of the Constitution of Ghana is unrivalled. "Ghana has lost a gem of a Public Servant."

Mr Justice Ato Ampiah, the Spokesman of the family, said although they were in a state of mourning they were encouraged by the visit of President Kufuor.

He pledged that they would involve the State at every stage in the planning and fixing of the date for the funeral of the late Chief Justice.

Mr Justice Acquah died at the 37th Military Hospital in Accra on Sunday at the age of 65.

He was Ghana's 11th Chief Justice since Independence, having been appointed on July 4, 2003.

Meanwhile, President Kufuor has officially been informed of the death of Mr Saka Acquaye, a celebrated Sculptor, Dramatist and a top Athlete, who passed away on Februray 27, 2007 at the ripe age of 83. The late Acquaye carved the statue of the late Governor Gordon Guggisburg erected at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital and that of Dr J.B. Danquah at the Danquah Circle in Accra.

Mr J.S. Addo, a member of the Council of State and the Spokesman of the bereaved family, said their late relative distinguished himself for the benefit of the nation.

President Kufuor said he was sad at the news of the death of such a titan on the country's cultural scene.

He said he shared in the sorrow of his departure and directed the State Protocol to liaise with the family to give him a deserving funeral.

President Kufuor stated that people in private life who made significant contribution to the nation would be appreciated just as those in the public service.

The late Saka Acquaye left behind four children and four grandchildren and would be buried on Friday, March 30. 27 March 07