Rawlings praises J.H. Owusu- Acheampong’s sense of nationalism

Former President Flt Lt Jerry John Rawlings has praised the nationalistic credentials of the late former Member of the Council of State, Mr J. H. Owusu-Acheampong.

He described Mr Owusu-Acheampong as a person who liked things to be done properly and got impatient when things were not done in an orderly manner.

Recognition

The former President, who made the comments when a family delegation called on him last Thursday to formally inform him of Mr Owusu-Acheampong’s demise and announce arrangements for his funeral, said the hard work and commitment of Mr Owusu-Acheampong had to be recognised.

Prof. Samuel Awuah Nyamekye, who led the delegation, said since it was former President Rawlings who brought Mr Owusu-Acheampong into the limelight by appointing him to various positions during his tenure as Head of State, it was imperative that he was informed about his demise.

Prof. Awuah Nyamekye referred to Mr Owusu-Acheampong’s natural leadership abilities, which saw him hold various positions at the university, including President of the

Students Representative Council of the then University of Science and Technology.

Positions held

The late Owusu-Acheampong was subsequently elected to Parliament in 1979 as member for Berekum and later appointed Regional Secretary for Brong Ahafo under the PNDC regime. He was later appointed Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Majority Leader in Parliament. He rose to become Minister of Agriculture.

Mr Owusu-Acheampong, who until his demise was the Abusuapanyin of the Akwamu Division of Berekum, also served as a member of the Council of Elders of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

Commendation

Dr Kwabena Donkor, former Minister of Power and Member of Parliament for Pru East in the Brong Ahafo Region, also referred to the nationalist credentials of Mr Owusu-Acheampong and noted with admiration the fact that when he was first appointed to serve as Regional Secretary, opposition forces arranged for him to take up a role with the United Nations in Tanzania, but he declined because he wanted to serve his country.

Mr Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, the General Secretary of the NDC, who served as a Deputy Minister for Agriculture under Mr Owusu-Acheampong, also complimented his former boss and described him as a strong pillar in the NDC.

Other members of the delegation were Nana Ofori Appiah, Krontihene of the Berekum Traditional Area, Nana Atta Nyamekye, Mr Adu Gyamfi, Mr Kwadwo Agyemang, Mr

Simon Kyereme, Mr Baffour Asare, Mr Joseph Ening, Ms Afia Nsia and Madam Akua Sarfowaa.

Mr Owusu-Acheampong will be laid to rest on Saturday, September 2, 2017.