NPP opens book of condolence for Jake
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has opened a book of condolence in honour of the late immediate past National Chairman of the party, Mr Jake Obetsebi -Lamptey.
Advertisement
The party has also called on members to emulate his selfless devotion to the cause of the NPP.
Mr John Boadu, Acting General Secretary of the party, who was among the first to sign the book of condolence, told newsmen this Monday.
Among the party leadership who were at the party headquarters to sign the book of condolence were the Acting National Chairman, Mr Freddie Blay, Ms Otiko Djaba, National Women’s Organiser, Kamal deen Abdulai, National Coordinator of Nassara Wing of party, and Alhaji Umar B.Bodinga Ist Vice Chairman of NPP for the Eastern Region.
Mr Obetsebi-Lamptey died at a hospital in London in the early hours of last Sunday after a protracted illness.
As the demise of Obetsebi-Lamptey hit the nation tributes started and still pouring in.
The Progressive People’s Party (PPP), the Great Consolidated Popular Party (GCPP), the People’s National Convention (PNC) and the Convention People’s Party (CPP) have all expressed shock at the tragic death.
PPP
The PPP said it received with sadness the demise of Mr Obetsebi Lamptey.
Other Trending Stories
In a statement signed by Nii Allotey Brew-Hammond, the National Chairman of the PPP, it stated that as a significant political player in the fourth republic, Mr Obetsebi Lamptey served the nation admirably.
He served under former President Kufuor as his first Chief of Staff, and later Minister of Information, Minister of Tourism and Diasporan Relation, and finally as Minister of Tourism and Modernisation of the Capital City.
According to the PPP, his untiring effort to improve relations with Africans in the diaspora and modernise the capital city to promote international and domestic tourism would not be forgotten.
“On the death of this true son of Ghana, the PPP extend our sincere sympathies and condolences to his family, his party and the entire nation,” the statement said.
PNC
The PNC also said it received the news with a great deal of shock.
“We want to express our sincere condolences to the family, the NPP and all Ghanaians for this loss. We pray that his gentle soul finds peace in the bosom of Almighty Allah”, the PNC statement stated.
The statement, signed by Mr Atik Mohammed, the General Secretary of the PNC, said Mr Obetsebi Lamptey’s contribution to the deepening of the fourth republican democracy could not be understated.
The PNC urged all Ghanaians that even in mourning, the entire nation must be inspired by his works and contributions to continue the struggle for the consolidation of democracy, peace and stability, especially in this election year.
CPP
In a statement signed by Professor Edmund Delle, the National Chairman of the CPP, the party said the former minister of state “understood multiparty democracy and that explains the cooperation and cordial relations between the CPP and the NPP during his days as Minister of Information, Minister of Tourism and Modernization of the Capital City, Chief of Staff, Campaign Manager and National Chairman of the NPP”.
Prof. Delle recalled how he closely worked with the former Chief of Staff “when I first led the CPP as National Chairman from 2004 to 2007”.
He stressed that his death was not only a blow to his immediate family and the NPP, which he faithfully served, but also the entire country as it had robbed budding politicians of good advice and mentorship.
GCPP
The GCPP, in a statement signed by the 2016 Presidential Candidate of the party, Dr Henry Herbert Lartey, expressed shock and sadness about the passing of Mr Obetsebi-Lamptey whom the party described as “a great politician from a great political family”.
Advertisement
In the view of the GCPP, Jake had time for politics and also had time for the media and concluded that he would be missed.
Death from leukaemia
Meanwhile, the late former chairman is believed to have died of leukaemia.
Former General Secretary Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie revealed this on Sunday.
Before his death, he said he was undergoing courses of chemotherapy treatment in South Africa, but relapsed and was transferred to London.
Advertisement
Sir John, as he is popularly called, indicated that Mr Obetsebi-Lamptey had planned to come to Ghana in December last year but fell ill and was admitted to hospital.
He added that the former chairman died in his sleep while on admission at the hospital.
Leukaemia is a form of cancer that begins in the blood-forming cells of the bone marrow - the soft, inner part of the bones.
Leukaemia - which literally means "white blood" in Greek - occurs when there is an excess of abnormal white blood cells in the blood. Known as leukocytes, these cells are so plentiful in some individuals that the blood actually assumes a whitish tinge.
Advertisement
The types of leukemia are grouped by how quickly the disease develops and gets worse. Leukemia is either chronic (gets worse slowly) or acute (gets worse quickly).
The common symptoms of leukemia includes fevers or night sweats; frequent infections; feeling weak or tired; headache; bleeding and bruising easily (bleeding gums, purplish patches in the skin, or tiny red spots under the skin), pain in the bones or joints, swelling or discomfort in the abdomen (from an enlarged spleen), swollen lymph nodes, especially in the neck or armpit and weight loss.
A bone marrow transplant was his only chance of a cure.