Kyeremateng Agyarko laid to rest

Mr Emmanuel Kyeremateng Agyarko, the late Member of Parliament (MP) for Ayawaso West Wuogon has been laid to rest after a burial service at the Zimmerman Presbyterian Church, Odumase Krobo.

The late Kyeremateng Agyarko died in the United States after a short illness, he was 60years old and was survived by a wife Mrs Josephine Naana Agyarko and two children as well Madam Lydia Alhassan with whom she also gave birth to five children.

The burial service was attended by President Nana Akufo-Addo and wife, Rebecca Akufo-Addo, and Vice President, Dr Mamuddu Bawumia and wife, Samira Bawumia.

The Speaker of Parliament, Professor Aaron Mike Oquaye led the parliamentary leadership, which includes Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, Majority Leader, Sarah Adwoa Safo, Deputy Majority Leader and Alhaji Mohammed Mubarak Muntaka, Minority Chief Whip and MPs to the burial service.

Other dignitaries present at the service include Ministers of State, Districts and Metropolitan Chief Executives, representatives of political parties, Members of the Diplomatic Corps, members of professional associations and family relations and well-wishers.

There were tributes from the wife, children, family, siblings, Parliament, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and Government for the late Member of Parliament for Ayawaso West Wuogon.

The wife, Mrs Josephine Agyarko in her tribute described her husband as a loving father of their children and also man who is passionate about the word of God and kind to people who come his way.

The Parliament of Ghana in a tribute which was read by Sarah Adwoa Safo described the late Kyeremateng Agyarko as one of the virtuous MPs the House has known.

She said the late Kyeremateng Agyarko entered the Parliament of Ghana in 2013 as the MP for Ayawaso West Wuogon and quickly distinguished himself as an agent of change, a purpose driven industrialist, an honest and selfless politician and a patriot.

She said he availed the House of his knowledge, skills and expertise, both at the plenary and in committees, matters of governance as well as science and technology.

She said the late MP was an ardent advocate who supported the promotion and security of Ghanaian business interest and utilized legislative tools to further that agenda.

She said he was firm in his conviction that the time had come for a specific policy intervention to preserve, protect, encourage and propel the growth and development of the local industry and not just the enactment of legislation for the sector.

She said the late MP was not just concern about effective and efficient delivery of health services but saw health infrastructure and pharmaceutical products for the treatment and prevention of disease, education and the full completion of facilities- water, electricity and good roads as critical parts of the deliverable of the good governance.

The government in a tribute read by Mr Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, Minister of Information described the late as a person with calm demeanour but an infectious sense of humour that endeared him to both sides of the House.

He said he was the epitome of the astute, 21st century politician and proved by his sustained conduct that politicians could argue without heckling each other.

He said he always had his facts right expressed his party’s position on policy issues dispassionately.

He said he carried himself with dignity and spoke eloquently about all manner of subjects.

Mr Oppong Nkrumah said it was heart-warming listening to him speak on public radio, particularly on Kokrokoo, where he would often make an argument that could not be disputed and crown it with his favourite catchphrase: “eda ho plain”.

He said the late MP was a man with a generous heart and beautiful spirit who served his people loyally.

The New Patriotic Party in a tribute which was read by Mr John Buadu, General Secretary of the party described the late Kyeremateng Agyarko as a leading figure in the party and who has contributed significantly to the fortunes of the party.

He said the late MP was not just a believer of the Danquah Dombo-Busia political tradition but was born into it.

He said his father, Kwesi Agyarko, a merchant supported Professor Busia during the time of the Progress party.

He said the late MPs unique style of politics saw him working closely with people who could be described as the “down trodden”.

He said he was exceedingly down to earth and would always attend to the ordinary man, irrespective of his schedules.

He said the MP served his party and country with honesty, incorruptibility, selflessness and dedication.

“We don’t have a replacement for this passion, the party shall continue to immortalize his humanity, his dedication, his passion for humanity and his ability to manage dissenting views”.

Mr Buadu said the late Agyarko’s respect for all manner of persons came his way earned him the respect at all levels of the Ghanaian society.

The late Kyeremateng Agyarko, was born on December 10, 1957 in Kumasi to Kwasi Agyarko, a merchant and politician of Jamase, Ashanti and the school teacher Jane ladze Padi of Odumase-Krobo. He was the last born of five children and prided himself as the kaakyire.

He began his formal education at Queen Anne’s Day Nursery in Ashanti New Town and from there went on to K.O. Methodist Primary School also in Kumasi for his basic primary education.

He enrolled at the Kwame Nkrumah University Primary school to prepare for the Common Entrance Examination. After passing the exams, he went to Prempeh College for his Ordinary level certificate.

He proceeded to the Presbyterian Boys Secondary School in Accra (PRESEC) for six form to and obtained an Advanced Level (A-Level) certificate.

He gained admission to Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) to study pharmacy. Upon graduation from KNUST, he performed his national service at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, where he also taught pharmacology at the nursing school.

He then went on to start and operate his own pharmacy business, Vitapharma which had initial challenges and later became a success.

He married Josephine Naana Baiden, from whom he had two adult children. He later had a set of lovely quintuplets with Lydia Alhassan. In the past couple of years, he decided to settle down and have quality time with Eva Mends who was with him for his medical care.

Mr Kyeremateng Agyarko began his carrier in public service in 2001, when under President John Agyekum Kufuor, he served first as deputy Executive Secretary of the Narcotics Control Board and then as Chief Executive Officer of the Food and Drugs Board now FDA until 2009.

While at the FDA, Mr Kyeremateng Agyarko made sterling contributions which resulted in reforms that guaranteed the safety of Ghanaian consumers.

He contested for the Lower Manya Krobo seat in 2008 but failed to win it, but in 2012 he contested for the Ayawaso West Wuogon and won it for the NPP and in 2016 retained the seat for the NPP.