Kunbuor consoles family of navy despatch rider
The Minister of Defence, Dr Benjamin Bewa-Nyog Kunbuor, yesterday visited the family of a navy dispatch rider who died after crushing into his fellow army dispatch rider at Burma Camp last Friday, to console them.
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The rider, Petty Officer II Simon Akumpele, 37, died after a head-on collision with another army dispatch rider, while both of them were manoeuvring and exhibiting their riding skills along the ceremonial streets at Burma Camp during a pull-out parade for the immediate past Chief of Defence Staff, Vice Admiral Mathew Quashie.
The Defence Minister was accompanied by his deputy, Mr Kenneth Gilbert Adjei, the Greater Accra Regional Minister, Mr Joseph Nii Laryea Agbo, and the Chief of the Naval Staff of the Ghana Navy, Rear Admiral Peter Kofi Faidoo.
Donation
The Defence Minister presented an undisclosed amount of money, two bags of rice, two gallons of cooking oil and two crates of soft drinks to the bereaved family to support the funeral.
Mr Agbo, who is also the Member of Parliament for Kpone-Katamanso, donated GH¢1,000, and one bag of rice to support the funeral.
In a brief remark, Dr Kunbuor said the ministry thought it wise to visit the bereaved family to commiserate with them.
He described the incident as unfortunate and assured the family that the ministry and the Military High Command shared in their loss and pain.
“These things happen occasionally, but it is my prayer that the good Lord protect his soul and keep the family,” he said.
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Mr Agbo, for his part, appealed to the bereaved family to remain calm and pledged to support them.
Burial arrangements
The Spokesperson for the bereaved family, Petty Officer Medad Abubakar, expressed appreciation to the Defence Minister and the entourage for the visit and donations. He said the family was still in the planning process and would soon inform the military high command of the funeral and burial arrangements when a date was fixed.
The deceased left behind a wife and two male children, aged nine and six respectively.
The widow, Cynthia, who is pregnant, was very distraught and could not hold back her tears.
Writer’s email: benjamin.glover@graphic.com.gh