President John Agyekum Kufuor said on Saturday that the death of Mr Reo Addai Basoah, Member of Parliament (MP) for Kumawu, should be an inspiration to his family and people because he accomplished his mission in life.
He described the late MP as a selfless, unassuming man who placed the service of his nation above minority considerations.
President Kufuor was speaking at the burial service of the late Basoah at Besoro, near Kumawu, in the Sekyere East District of Ashanti.
Paying glowing tribute to the MP, the President said the late Basoah played a very crucial role in the government and that he cherished establishing a good name than acquiring material wealth.
President Kufuor said he came into contact with the late Basoah in the Second Republic when he (President) was an MP and a Deputy Minister.
The President said the (late Basoah) also become an MP after he (Basoah) and others including the senior minister were persuaded to return home by the late Dr Kofi Abrefa Busia to contribute to national development.
President Kufuor said he and the late Basoah were in opposition for 30 years until 2000 when the NPP won power to form the NPP government, in which the late Basoah played a very crucial role.
The President reiterated that the NPP was laying a solid foundation for the nation and that no one could derail its avowed goal and called for support for the government. Paying tribute to the late Mr Basoah, Mr Haruna Esseku, National Chairman of the NPP, said the party had lost a dedicated member.
He said the late MP had qualities, which stood him out and portrayed him as an outstanding personality. Papa Owusu Ankomah, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, recounted some of the contributions of the late Basoah on the floor of Parliament and said he would be remembered for that.
He described him as someone who was so humble and selfless that sometimes he had to be prevailed upon to take his parliamentary privileges.
Mr Sampson Kwaku Boafo, Ashanti Regional Minister, recounted that he and the late Basoah were in exile and said he would forever remember the late Basoah for ushering him into politics.
The NPP donated ?40 million and assorted drinks to the bereaved family with the President making a personal donation of ?10 million.
Earlier, President Kufuor made a stop over at Kumawu, where he called on Barima Asumadu Sekyi, Kumawuhene. Barima Sekyi appealed to the President to ensure that roads in the area were repaired, particularly the one leading to the Afram Plains to facilitate economic activities.
President Kufuor assured the Kumawuhene that the NPP government being rural oriented would focus on rural development.
He also spoke to a cross-section of the people, who had milled around the chief's palace. The President introduced Mr Yaw Baah, the NPP Parliamentary candidate for the Kumawu bye-election.
