President consoles family of Harry Sawyerr
President John Dramani Mahama yesterday led a delegation from the government and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to console the family of the late Harry Sawyerr at Labone in Accra.
Advertisement
President Mahama signed the book of condolence opened for Mr Sawyerr at his residence at Legon.
Vice-President Kwesi Bekoe Amissah-Arthur and the Chief of Staff, Mr Prosper Douglas Bani, also signed the book of condolence.
The delegation was received by the Head of the Lokko Family, Prof Basil Lokko, the wife of Mr Sawyerr, Mrs Esther Sawyerr, the children and other family members. The children included a Deputy Chief of Staff, Dr Valerie Sawyerr.
Members of the delegation included a Senior Presidential Advisor, Alhaji Baba Kamara, the Chairman of the NDC, Dr Kwabena Adjei, the General Secretary of the NDC, Mr Johnson Asiedu Nketia, and ministers of state.
Background
Mr Henry Romulus Sawyerr, alias Harry Sawyerr, died on Thursday, November 7, 2013, at the age of 87. He was an astute politician and chartered surveyor.
He was a former member of the Council of State, former Minister of Transport and Communications, former Minister of Education and former Member of Parliament.
He resigned his position as Vice-Chairman of the Council of Elders of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) days before he turned 87.
Mr Sawyerr distinguished himself in the areas of politics, nation building and private practice as a chartered surveyor over the last six decades.
He was decorated with the highest honour of state, Companion of the Order of the Volta, by the late President J. E. A. Mills.
President's remarks
In his remarks, President Mahama said he learnt that Mr Sawyerr's sickness was serious a few months ago, and he visited him.
He said the death of Mr Sawyerr, who was like a father of the NDC, came to him as a big shock.
The President said Mr Sawyerr had offered a lot of service to Ghana and the NDC.
Therefore, he said, Mr Sawyerr's life should be celebrated because he had lived an exemplary life.
"He has done a lot for Ghana and the party. Only God can reward him for the work he has done for the nation and the party," he said.
President Mahama said Mr Sawyerr’s demise was not a loss to only the family but to all Ghanaians and members of the NDC.
The President said the government and NDC executive members would be liaising with the family to give Mr Sawyerr a fitting farewell.
Prof Lokko said although Mr Sawyerr was sick for a while, his demise was a big blow to the family.
He thanked President Mahama and other members of the delegation for the visit to mourn with the family.