Former President Jerry John Rawlings has paid a glowing tribute to the late former Vice President, Paa Kwesi Amissah Arthur, describing him as a true professional who exercised his duties with dignity and a good sense of humility.
Having worked with both the governments of the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) during ex-President Rawlings’ tenure, Paa Kwesi’s calm disposition, according Mr Rawlings “hid a confident interior” that earned him his role in the NDC governments as well as other roles outside government.
According to the former military leader, the late VEEP is one of the unsung heroes of Ghana’s 4th republic, but believed he paid his full dues to Ghana with love and commitment.
Late former Vice President Kwesi Amissah-Arthur has begun his journey to the next world as file past of his remains opened Thursday morning at the Conference Centre in Accra.
The public viewing of the body of the former governor of the Central bank will continue to tomorrow July 27, 2018 as part of the state funeral for the departed statesman.
A burial service will be held at the International Conference Centre in his memory after which a cortege will march the remains through some principal streets of Accra before the interment at the newly built Military cemetery at Burma Camp.
READ Mr. Rawlings’ tribute
FARE THEE WELL, PAA KWESI AMISSAH ARTHUR
Paa Kwesi Amissah Arthur worked with both the governments of the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) during my tenure.
As an economist and academic I knew Paa Kwesi as a true professional who exercised his duties with dignity and a good sense of humility.
Typical of many professionals cast in his mould, he let his work speak for itself. He was not one who preferred to stay in the public eye but his association with politics did not allow that.
Nevertheless, Paa Kwesi’s calm disposition hid a confident interior that I believe earned him his role in our governments and allowed him to rise in other roles outside government.
During a trying period in the PNDC days, our former Deputy Minister of Finance bailed us out of a difficult troop situation in his capacity as Acting Minister. That was when I recognized that he was no personality to be regarded lightly.
As a partner in the trenches of the PNDC and early NDC days we had our challenges too and he took them in his stride even if there were some discomforting encounters.
His candour could be disarming sometimes and he had a good grasp of the history of the PNDC and NDC days. I remember that once not too long ago he countered a misrepresentation during a tribute session for Louis Casely Hayford in church, correcting some historical facts concerning the PNDC to my pleasant surprise and that of many who were gathered at the service.
Despite the complex challenges he encountered as Vice-President, he nevertheless was a man whose demeanour won him deserving respect and admiration.
Paa Kwesi may have been an unsung hero, but he paid his full dues to Ghana with love and commitment. His demise during a gym workout came as a shock but the ways of the Good Lord are not for us to question.
Fare thee well Paa Kwesi. You were a true son of Ghana.
