Mary Grant was a formidable woman - Rawlings

Ghana’s former President, Flt. Lt. Jerry John Rawlings and his wife Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, have described the late Dr. Mrs. Mary Grant as a “formidable woman who never turned away from hard work.”

The couple said in a statement that Dr. Grant would “really be missed because she had great ideas on the development of Ghana and touched many lives.”

Speaking on Tuesday during a courtesy call on the family of Dr. Grant, who passed away on September 18, Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, who spoke on behalf of the Rawlings family said Dr. Grant’s “impatience” and strong desire to get things done was the major motivating factor, which encouraged President Rawlings to want to work with her.

The former First Lady said Dr. Grant had interests in health, sanitation and drainage issues and was always pushing to get such projects implemented.

“We mourn her today but we know that her good works will live after her,” said Mrs Rawlings, who later signed a book of condolence in memory of Dr. Grant.

The Ebusuapanyin of the Grant family, Ebo Cramer Sam expressed the family’s gratitude to President Rawlings and his wife for making time to call on them and recalled the personal bond between them and their departed mother and sister.

“She has been a mother to all. She cared about everybody, she loved people but unfortunately there comes a time when life must come to an end. When it does come, it is the legacy we leave behind that matters. Dr. Grant was guided by the spirit of sharing and giving in her relationship with people. It is that loss we mourn,” Mr. Cramer Sam said.

Another family member, William Essilfie, spoke about the role Dr. Grant played in the establishment of the Korle-Bu Cardiothoracic and Burns units and thanked President Rawlings for giving her the opportunity to serve her country in several capacities.

Mr Essilfie said: “We are happy that Ghanaians are mourning with us. We want all Ghanaians to know that the separation is only physical. In terms of deeds, we are not separated; in terms of love, we are not separated. Her memory will live on in our hearts.”

Dr. Grant who was a member of the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC) under Chairman Rawlings and later served as a Minister in the NDC under President Rawlings will be buried on Friday, October 21, 2016.