Parliament extols memory of Theresa Tagoe

Accra, Jan. 27, GNA- Parliament in an elegy on Thursday extolled Ms Theresa Tagoe former Member of Parliament (MP) for having enriched and positively affected many lives with her generosity.

The late New Patriotic Party (NPP) MP for Ablekuma South in the Greater Region was 68.

A statement presented by the Women Caucus on the floor of the House stated that Ms Tagoe embraced her greatness with vim and led her life with dignity.

Mrs Gifty Ohene-Konadu NPP member for Asante Akim South who presented the statement on behalf of the Women Caucus said: "It will be a challenge to follow her foot steps."

She said Ms Tagoe was involved in many charitable activities and ended up establishing a non- profit organisation which provided micro financial support for the poor.

Ms Tagoe according to her was a member of the Council of Women World Leaders, an international organisation of former and current parliamentarians which sought to mobilise actions on issues critical to leadership, empowerment and development of women.

"Theresa Tagoe was a successful politician with the knack to effectively engage with even chiefs while still maintaining her ability to relate to her common grassroots supporters," she said.

She said her dint of hard work made President John Kufuor in 2001 made her the first woman Deputy Minister of Lands and Forestry.

Mrs Ohene-Konadu said the late MP was a gender activist who earned commendable status among Ghanaians.

"She had a distinguished reputation characterised by virtue," she said adding that "her various successful ventures in life underscored with tough challenges depicts her as a woman of stature and sterling qualities".

Commenting on the statement Hajia Mary Salifu Boforo National Democratic Congress (NDC) member for Savelugu said Ghanaians could open several chapters on the good deeds of Ms Tagoe.

She noted that she was one who diligently worked for Ghana and women in Ghana.

"She was a no nonsense woman," she stated adding "Women Caucus in Parliament will miss her so much."

Ms Cecilia Abena Dapaah NPP member for Bantama said Ms Tagoe was full of political fire and colour and served parliament and the nation willingly.

She noted that she was the brain behind the formation of the Ladies Club, which developed into the Ladies wing of the NPP.

"You are always our pride, you thought us how to survive in the male chauvinistic parliament," she said.

Mrs Elizabeth Sackey NPP member for Okaikwei North said she was a hard worker and always doing something to put people on their toes.

Mr Alfred Abayateye NDC member for Sege said Ms Tagoe was frank and plain in all her undertakings.

He said she was the first to drop her political cloak at Ga Adangbe Caucus meetings.

The Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament Prof Michael Oquaye said she was one of those who questioned the ideological course introduced by the Nkrumah regime as a compulsory pre university course.

He said she was a vigilant woman and added that her seat when she decided not to contest again was lost to the NDC in circumstances that were taken to be lack of vigilance.

Mr Gershon Gbediame Majority Chief Whip said Ms Tagoe was one who heckled a lot on the floor of the House.

He noted that her demise together with the death of other parliamentarians was the evidence that death was inevitable and that when given the opportunity to serve it must be done in all sincerity.

"We must be conscious of all that we do at all times for they are the things they will use in judging us," he said.

He called on all Ghanaians to pray for parliament to make good laws to govern the State adding that it was the only means posterity could remember the House at a time they also passed away.