P.V. Obeng begins journey home

Della Russel Ocloo Aug - 15 - 2014 , 10:15

A large number of mourners yesterday besieged the Tema Good Shepherd Catholic Church and its environs to be part of a remembrance service for the late Senior Presidential Advisor, Sir Paul Victor Obeng.

The three-hour solemn service, which was presided over by the Metropolitan Archbishop of Accra, the Most Rev Charles Palmer-Buckle, was also attended by representatives of political parties, traditional rulers, academia, the business community, among many other groupings.

The late statesman lived more than three decades in Tema.

Affectionately referred to as PV by his peers, the astute statesman died on May 17, this year.

He was described by many as one who lived in the service to humanity and rendered service to all manner of people.

Delivering the sermon, the Most Rev Palmer-Buckle described the late Obeng as having accomplished his mission on earth.

“When I think of PV and the name he made for himself in the church and the legacy he left behind for the country, I am tempted to question his sudden death. He lived a worthy and fulfilling life and that is evident from the many tributes from the scores of people who continue to mourn his passing," he said.

Counselling the congregation, the Archbishop said the most important thing in life was not how long one lived but the quality of service one rendered to mankind.

Selfless service

The late Obeng, according to the Most Rev Palmer-Buckle, could not attain the Biblical age of 70 before passing.

"How sad? one could say. He was doing so well, particularly in the area of peace and reconciliation and also extended kindness to all manner of people and many wish he had stayed a bit longer.

"However, life is not computed in the number of years one lives but the quality of selfless service rendered to mankind," he said.

Kindness

Attesting to the late statesman’s kindness, the Archbishop said Obeng neglected himself and extended kindness to all manner of people, irrespective of one’s political or religious affiliation.

According to him, Obeng was a consensus builder.

"Even in politics, he worked for the establishment of the Kingdom of God. PV would hardly defer anything he could do immediately; in fact, he was always on the move and neglected himself. Perhaps the neglect might have caused his sudden demise," he said.

Archbishop Palmer-Buckle challenged young people to emulate the good deeds of the late statesman by striving to leave a legacy of love for mankind and one's country.

Meanwhile, Akrokerri in the Adansi South District in the Ashanti Region, the birthplace of the late Obeng, is ready for the burial service of the statesman, reports Donald Ato Dapatem from Akrokerri.

A neatly and aesthetically designed tomb dug at the residence of the deceased is tiled and ready for his burial. It is located along the main road leading to the centre of Akrokerri.

The walls of the house in which the body would be interred have been decorated with pictures telling the life story of the late statesman, especially during his days as the de facto Prime Minister of Ghana during the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC) regime under the chairmanship of Flt Lt Jerry John Rawlings.

A visit to the town yesterday revealed that some houses close to the funeral ground had been rehabilitated and painted, while canopies had been erected on the Asare Bediako Park, close to the Akrokerri College of Education, for the burial service.

Residents of the town have also cleared the weeds and rubbish around their houses as the ancient town awaits visitors from all over the world for the funeral.

Senior government officials and high ranking security personnel from Accra and Kumasi were seen inspecting the grounds for the burial service and the newly created car park for visitors, ministers of state and the President.

Engineers of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) were also connecting electricity to the car park directly opposite the Asare Bediako Park.

The Bretuo Bagyegyeba Abusuapanyin of Akrokerri, Opanin Kwesi Essuman, who is the head of the late Obeng’s family, took the Daily Graphic to the family house where the body would first lie in state from 4 a.m. to 9 a.m. on Saturday before being moved to the Asare Bediako Park.

Amid the feverish preparations for the funeral of the son of the land, some people jostling for regional executive positions in the National Democratic Congress (NDC) took advantage of the situation to post their posters.