State bids farewell to Salia

Accra, March 19, GNA - The Most Reverend Paul Bemile, Bishop of the Wa Diocese, on Thursday urged politicians to conduct a peaceful campaign in the Jirapa constituency ahead of a by-election slated for next month to elect a new Member of Parliament for the area. He said the constituents in the area should look to God for a good replacement for the late MP for Jirapa, Mr. Edward Salia who passed away in February this year.

Rev. Bemile said these in a sermon during the burial service at the fore court of the State House to bid farewell to the deceased. The Reverend Minister said the scramble for the Jirapa seat was "not a do and die" affair to bring division to the area. Rev. Bemile urged the contenders to go into the election without acrimony while conducting themselves well to secure the peace in the area. He touched on the late MP's contributions to Ghana's political development and his selfless service to the Jirapa constituents through contributions to educational facilities and the construction of a parish in the area. President John Atta Mills, in a tribute read for him, said Mr Salia worked very hard as a former Minister of State and as an MP until his death.

He said during the 2008 elections, despite his failing health, the late MP supported the NDC's efforts in the Upper West Region. He said Mr Salia, as a former Minister of Communications, was instrumental in the expansion of telecommunications network in the country and helped to bring telephone services to the three northern regions.

Mr Edward Doe-Adjaho, First Deputy Speaker, who read a tribute on behalf of the Speaker, Mrs Joyce Bamford-Addo, said Mr Salia was a highly regarded member of the House, having endeared himself to his colleagues on both sides of the political divide. "When re-elected for the third time, he was able to take. . . active part in the business of the House..Parliament has sustained an irreparable loss," he added.

Other tributes from the National Democratic Congress, the wife and Children were read in honour of the memory of Mr Salia. The service was attended by people from all walks of life including politicians, traditional rulers and members of the judiciary and members of the Diplomatic Corps. Mr Salia, 57, entered Parliament in 2001 and left behind a wife and four children. He would be laid to rest on Saturday at his home town Jirapa in the Upper West Region