State Funeral Held For Esther Ocloo

Government officials and people from all walks of life have paid glowing tributes to the memory of Dr Mrs Esther Ocloo, the renowned industrialist who died on the 8th of February after a short illness. A state funeral was held in Accra, today to honour Dr Mrs Ocloo, who has become an icon of Ghanaian industrialization. The people included President John Kufuor, who led the government delegation, which included vice President Aliu Mahama and several other ministers of state.

Also present at the state funeral were business leaders, the Diplomatic Corps, the Clergy and several other people whose lives have been touched by the renowned industrialist.

It was the celebration of the life of a daughter of the land, who defied the odds and showed others how to do the same. In their collective tribute, the Association of Ghana Industries described her as a pacesetter while her children called her a special mother who understood and knew the true value of life. The tribute from government described her as a worthy example to follow and the renowned poet Atukwei Okai wrote a dirge in her name.

Minster for Women Affair’s Mrs. Gladys Asmah and the renowned economist Kwame Pianim said Dr. Ocloo has had a great influence over their lives. A leading member of the New Patriotic Party, Kofi Wayo says Esther Ocloo is an inspiration to him. According to him, her death should not be a time for shedding tears but should rather encourage people brave all odds and achieve something in future.

Beyond the dignitaries, Mrs. Ocloo’s impact on the lives of ordinary people cannot be overemphasized. While serving time in Prison after the 1972 coup, she inspired prisoners to turn over new leaves through her prayer session at the wards.

Through her fight against hunger she saved several thousands of children from the clutches of death. She was so committed to her cause for the reduction of hunger and promotion of women’s issues that even on her sick bed she sent for two ministers of state to discuss certain government programs.

Her children say she was alien to rest and it was only fitting that hours before she died on 8th February she told them that “Today my work is finished” and with that the young girl from Peki who changed her fortunes with home-made marmalade and achieved world fame through industry passed on peacefully at the age of 83.

Dr. Ocloo was the first indigenous woman entrepreneur in Ghana. She was the founder of several business training institutions and philanthropic organisations for young women. She also founded the Ghana Federation of Business and Professional Women and won many international awards including the African Leadership prize. She will be buried at her hometown, Peki on Saturday.