'Prof Awoonor's death; A set back to Wheta'

Wheta, hometown of the late Professor Kofi Awoonor-Williams is in a state of mourning and disbelief as the tragic news of his death engulfs the community Sunday afternoon.

A family member says the community is "very very sad" because the former chairman of the Council of State was a great pillar of development in the community. He fears, the passing of the great poet could halt the rate of development in the community.


Professor Awoonor died from gun shot wounds in the stomach during an attack on the Westgate Shopping Mall in Nairobi, which Somali terrorist group Al-Shabab has claimed responsibility for.


President Mahama who learnt of the incident while transiting in London on his way to the UN summit in the USA, wrote on his facebook wall that: "I am shocked to hear the death of Prof Kofi Awoonor in Nairobi Mall terrorist attack. Such a sad twist of fate to place Prof at the wrong place at the wrong time".


Speaking to Joy News' Volta regional correspondent Ivy Setordzi, an elder, family member and an assembly member of Wheta eulogized the late Professor Kofi Awoonor saying "development of Wheta was in his hands".


He said Professor Awoonor provided personal funds in many infrastructural projects in Wheta.


"The construction of a secondary school, the renovation of a clinic" were some of the projects the elder mentions. Through his efforts, the community also got portable water".

Meanwhile, Joy News has learnt Professor Kofi Nyivedu Awoonor together with his son, had gone to have breakfast at the Westgate Mall in Nairobi when the fatal incident occurred.


The acting President Doe Adjaho, several prominent politicians and family members gathered at the North Legon residence of the late Professor Kofi Awonoor after hearing the shocking news.


Joy News correspondent George Wiafe confirms that the former chairman of Ghana's Council of State was invited as a guest speaker at an international conference in the East African country. It is unknown whether Professor Awoonor had finished his speaking engagement.


The Professor had left his hotel with his son who drove him to the mall for breakfast, family sources say. His son suffered injuries and is in a hospital, responding to treatment according to reports from Kenya.


Arrangements are underway to fly the body to Accra from Nairobi possibly by Wednesday, family sources say.