Parliament pays tribute to Osei-Kwaku

Accra, Oct. 26, GNA - Parliament on Wednesday paid tribute to the memory of the late Mr Edward Osei-Kwaku, Former Member of Parliament for Asokwa West Constituency during the Third Parliament of the Fourth Republic.

Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah Bonsu, the Majority Chief Whip, in a statement to the House described Mr Osei-Kwaku as a consensus builder and a peacemaker, who share a smile, a joke and a nickname with almost everybody on both sides of the political divide.

"His credo was politics without bitterness, which explains why he was liked by his colleague MPs as well as the staff of Parliament." The Majority Chief Whip said Mr Osei-Kwaku had a listening ear and had time for everyone, attributes which, without doubt, so much endeared him to his constituents to the extent that if he had not voluntarily stepped down in the Election 2004 he would have been elected to represent the Asokwa Constituency.

"His outstanding contributions to debates on the floor of the House and at Committee sittings which were stated without any plumage of equivocation earned him lots of admiration from his colleagues in Parliament.

"At the Ministry of Youth and Sports, which many people rubbish as a den of corruption, the late Osei-Kwaku is remembered as one of only two Ministers, who returned to chest dollar allocations and contingency commitments for a major sporting event outside the country. Such was the sincerity and transparency of the man."

Mr Kyei-Mensah Bonsu said late Osei-Kwaku's "calmness, modesty, honesty, selflessness, infectious humility, reliability, practical ability, a deep sense of humour and poise were the traits, which he exhibited during his tumultuous days at the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly.

Mr Yaw Osafo-Maafo, Minister of Youth and Sports, said the late Mr Osei-Kwaku in his days as the Minister of Sports was very passionate to have a Sports Bill passed and was able to initiate the first draft of the bill.

"He also recognised the problems the old players of the national teams were going through and arranged for some allowances to be paid to them and to have free access to all stadiums in the country." Mr Osafo-Maafo said he established a Youth Fund from the HIPC Fund, which is still in use.

Mr Kwame Osei-Prempeh, NPP MP for Nsuta-Kwamang, said the best legacy that Parliament can bequeath to the late Osei-Kwaku was to initiate laws that could curb road accidents in the country. "We as law makers should use our decisions to avoid accidents, which has taken away some of our members and that even though Mr Osei-Kwaku was not driving when the accident occurred it was as a result of reckless driving on our streets."

Alhaji Abubakar Sumani, NDC Tamale North, described Mr Osei-Kwaku as a perfect gentleman whom he always drew inspiration from. "He was not only a gentleman but also very caring and was always ready to share his experiences on issues with his wise advice and counselling."