Solemn atmosphere at Forestry Commission after Sir John’s death

The general mood at the Forestry Commission on the second day in July 2020 was rather pensive and grievous as compared to normal days and the reason isn’t farfetched.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Commission, Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie known in political circles as Sir John has died after succumbing to coronavirus complications on July 1, 2020, the republic day of the country.

In this light, GhanaWeb visited the premises of the commission to gauge the mood of workers and the general environment that greeted his demise.

His parking spaces which bare the inscriptions “Chief Executive only” were empty with no sign of his vehicles or anything signifying his presence.

In place of his car, red flags had been hoisted; and at open areas at the premises - the main gate, the reception and several others.

Most workers who walked through the gates of the Commission were clad in black apparel or in colours which depicted their current state of mind and mood. Others had red flags on their vehicles.

In spite of the demise of their boss, work continued as usual but authorities refused to speak on record with reason that they needed clearance from the family of the late Sir John.



Brief background of Sir John Profile;

Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie was born in the Ashanti Region.

He attended Seventh Day Adventist Secondary School in Bekwai from where he obtained his GCE Ordinary level certificate.

He then proceeded to obtain his GCE Advanced level certificate from Konongo Odumase Secondary School in Konongo.

Mr Owusu Afriyie was admitted to study political science at the University of Ghana after which he enrolled at the Ghana School of Law where he graduated with Bachelor of Laws (LLB).

He was then admitted as a solicitor and counsel for the Supreme Court of Ghana.

Sir John entered into private law practice in 1981.

During the John Agyekum Kufuor administration, he was appointed head of legal services at the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC).

He was later made to act as the Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the corporation.

While managing his firm, Afriyie was also actively engaged in Ghanaian politics.

He served as the General Secretary of the NPP from 2010 to 2014. He lost his bid to secure a second term to Kwabena Agyei Agyapong.