State burial for Victor Owusu

A state funeral would be held on March 7 of the late Victor Owusu, a prominent lawyer and former presidential candidate of the erstwhile Popular Front Party in the 1979 general elections.

President J.A Kufuor announced this yesterday when relatives of Mr Owusu called on him formally to inform him of the death of the elder statesman. Mr Kufuor said Mr Owusu served Ghana with distinction and by virtue of that, he deserves an honour befitting the role he played.

President Kufuor described Mr Owusu as a dedicated son of Ghana who tirelessly served the country. He said Mr Owusu was an exemplary public servant of distinction and a great leader who helped to groom the PFP.

Describing him as his mentor, Mr Kufuor said he practiced in Mr Owusu's chambers as a junior and that he collaborated with him in various spheres and capacities.

In all these Mr Kufuor noted that the late Owusu was remarkable and showed a great deal of statesmanship. He intimidated that the loss of Mr Owusu would therefore be greatly felt by all Ghanaians.

Mr Isaac Boateng, a representative of the family, who led the 19 member delegation, expressed profound appreciation for the government gesture. He was grateful to the government for deciding to accord the late Owusu the dignity and respect that he deserves.

Mr Boateng said the government has demonstrated that one could be recompensed when one shows dedication for one's country. Mr Owusu was a member of the Progress Party which won the 1969 general elections under the leadership of Dr K.A Busia.

He was first appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs in 1969 and later as Attorney General in 1970, a position he occupied until the overthrow of the PP government by the National Redemption Council in 1972. On the resumption of party political activities in 1979, the late Mr Owusu became a founding member of the PFP.

He later assumed the leadership of the party. Soon after the 1979 elections, the parties in opposition to the PNP, except the United National Convention, merged to form All People's Party under the leadership of Mr Owusu.

That happened to be his last high profile political role in the country. He suffered from a protracted illeness and died on Decenber 16, 2000. He was 77.