Monday, September 29, 2008

It's a big blow - Rawlings, others pay tribute

September 26, 2008
Earlier, hundreds of sympathisers trooped to the residence of the late Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Mr Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu to express their condolence to the bereaved family reports Mabel Aku Baneseh.
The sympathisers included Ministers of State, Members of Parliament from both the ruling government and opposition, District Chief Executives, traditional rulers, officials from the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning, a delegation from the Customs, Excise and Preventive Service (CEPS) and the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT).
Representatives of the Ghana Supporters Union as well as representatives from the Old Soccer Stars Association, the famous poet, Attuquaye Okine, close associates and members of the general public also thronged the residence to express their condolences.
These groups of people openly wept and wondered why such a gem and national asset should die.
Sympathisers signed a book of condolence which was opened in memory of the Mr Baah-Wiredu who passed away in a hospital in South Africa on Wednesday.
The Agogohene, Nana Akuoku Sarpong, said he could not believe Mr Baah-Wiredu was dead until he arrived at his residence this morning adding “it is a reality and we have to live with it.”
According to him he had met Mr Baah-Wiredu and Nana Akufo-Addo’s delegation two weeks ago and nothing indicated that Mr Baah-Wiredu was sick.
“His death came as a shock. He has served my traditional area, the constituency and Ghana well. His death is a great loss to me and the entire nation,” Nana Akuoku Sarpong stated.
He described Mr Baah-Wiredu as a genuine, hardworking, approachable and a humble personality.
The Head of Family (Accra), Mr Apeagyei Mensah, said he and other family members heard of the Minister’s death on air and decided to visit his residence to verify.
According to him they were told on arrival at the residence that it was true the Minister was dead.
He said he was told doctors did everything possible to save Mr Baah-Wiredu but the latter could not make it.
He said Mr Baah-Wiredu’s death was a blow and a great loss to the family and the entire nation.
Mr Mensah thanked officials of the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning and the government for the tremendous assistance they had so far given to the family.
He took the opportunity to deny media reports that an 83 year-old uncle of the deceased collapsed and died after hearing of the death of Mr Baah-Wiredu.
He said the octegenarian was alive and well.
The Public Relations Officer of the CEPS, Ms Annie Anipa, said the entire CEPS workforce was shocked at the death of Mr Baah-Wiredu.
She said Mr Baah-Wiredu was a hardworking Minister who worked very cordially with the CEPS to raise revenue for the state.
“He is down-to-earth. This is unexpected and it will take time for us to recover from the shock,” Ms Anipa added.
Meanwhile, the Auditor-General, Mr Edward Dua-Agyemang, has expressed shock at the sudden death of Mr Baah-Wiredu.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic from Beijing, China, where he is attending an Africa-China auditors conference, he said his death was a big blow to the nation particularly the business and financial confraternity.
Mr Dua-Agyemang who for many years worked with Mr Baah-Wiredu in the same accounting firm Asante-Wiredu, Osei Kwabena and Associates said the Finance Minister would be missed by all for his selfless devotion to duty and humility.
“Mr Baah-Wiredu treated everybody like his equal and was prepared to learn even from his subordinates no doubt he came out as one of the best Finance Minister in the history of the country,’ he added.

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