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Ghana mourns Baah-Wiredu
Accra, Sept. 24, Ghanadot/GNA – Ghana is mourning the sudden
death of Finance and Economic Planning Minister, Kwadwo
Baah-Wiredu, in a South African hospital.
Many people from the political divide –President John
Agyekum Kufuor, Vice President Aliu Mahama, former President
Jerry Rawlings, former vice president and flag bearer of the
National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Evans Atta Mills,
flag bearers and top executives political parties have
expressed shock at passing of Mr Baah-Wiredu.
“The Government announces with deep sorrow and shock the
death of Mr Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu, Minister of Finance and
Economic Planning,” an official statement the statement
signed by Mr Kwadwo Mpiani, Chief of Staff and Minister of
Presidential Affairs said.
It said the President had been informed “about this sad
news, he expresses shock about this sudden death and has
requested that his condolences should extended to his
elderly mother, his wife, children and the rest of the
family”.
Alhaji Aliu described the death of the Finance Minister as a
terrible experience for Ghana.
“It is a sad day for the country,” he said, and described Mr
Baah-Wiredu as a good man who was also his personal friend.
Former President Jerry John Rawlings has expressed “deep
shock” at the passing away of Finance Minister and New
Patriotic Party Member of Parliament for Asante Akim North,
Mr Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu.
In a statement issued shortly after news broke of
Baah-Wiredu’s death, Ex-President Rawlings said Ghana had
lost a dedicated son.
“Throughout his political career he exhibited an element of
humility which is lacking within our current political
dispensation and which endeared him to his colleagues and
political opponents alike,” President Rawlings intimated.”
On his part, Prof Mills said Mr Baah-Wiredu was humble,
respectful and great achiever.
“It is a great loss to the nation, Ghana,” he told the GNA.
Prof Mills, who said he was shaken by the news of the death,
added that Mr Baah-Wiredu was one of his students at the
University of Ghana.
“He was one of the brilliant students and I was not
surprised he excelled wherever he found himself.”
He expressed condolences to Mr Baah-Wiredu’s family, saying
he couldn’t imagine their grief at this moment, adding
“indeed, the nation has lost somebody for whom I have the
greatest respect and I pray that the good Lord will keep him
in his bosom.”
In related interviews, leading members of political parties
expressed shock and described the death as a great loss to
the nation.
Nana Ohene Ntow, General Secretary of the ruling New
Patriotic Party (NPP) said the entire national executives of
the party, received the news with great disbelief, deep
shock and described the death as “a big blow” to the party
and the nation.
He recalled the different ministerial roles the late Mr
Baah-Wiredu played in stabilisation the NPP administration
since January 2001 saying “the loss is completely
irreplaceable to the party and the nation".
Dr Kwabena Adjei, Chairman of the NDC told the GNA that
Ghana had lost a fine hardworking, affable gentleman, "who
related with people without looking at any political colour”.
"The entire NDC family has been thrown into a state of
mourning, bewilderment and shock at the sudden death of such
a nice man, especially when most of us did not hear of his
ill-health," he said.
Dr Edward Nasigrie Mahama, flag bearer of the People’s
National Convention (PNC) was without words when GNA called
him for the interview and noted with deep empathy that the
nation had lost a fine finance minister.
He said PNC joined all Ghanaians “to mourn the death of the
young, hard-working gentleman, whose affiliation cut across
the political divide…. We simply call on his wife, children
and family to take heart and consolation in the Lord."
Mr Dan Lartey, flag bearer of the Great Consolidated Popular
Party (GCPP), described Mr Baah-Wiredu as friend who always
ensured that a copy of the budget was sent to him
immediately it was ready with nice complements.
He said Ghana and Parliament had lost a great all round man.
"The man is irreplaceable, as his individual contribution is
what the NPP is trumpeting on as achievements; he was a fine
Minister of Local Government and Rural Development,
Education and Sports Minister and accountable Finance
Minister."
Mr Oteng Gyasi, President of the Association of Ghana
Industries (AGI) also expressed shock at Mr Baah-Wiredu’s
death, saying his passing away was a great loss to the
private sector as well.
Mr Gyasi said the AGI had worked closely with him to move
the business community forward.
“He will be best remembered for the constant and fruitful
meetings the Association had with him.”
Mr Isaac Osei, Chief Executive of Ghana Cocoa Board, said he
was shattered by the news.
“I am shocked so much so that I can’t even say anything
right now,” he told the GNA.
“He was a close friend and a good man… We’ve lost a very
humble and technical person.”
As Finance Minister, the late Mr Baah-Wiredu had oversight
responsibility for the Cocobod, whose operations had
improved tremendously in recent times.
Mr Baah-Wiredu, 56, was born in Asante Akim Agogo. He
started his secondary education at the Kumasi High School,
Kumasi in 1967.
He obtained the GCE Ordinary Level Certificate in 1972. He
had his sixth form education at Prempeh College, also in
Kumasi. Mr Baah-Wiredu proceeded to the University of Ghana
in 1974 and obtained a B. Sc in Administration (Accounting
option). He then did a four-year course with the Institute
of Chartered Accountants qualifying as a chartered
accountant in 1985.
Mr Baah-Wiredu worked at various positions with the now
defunct Ghana Airways and the Volta River Authority and as a
senior consultant on computer-systems and as finance manager
of Ananse Systems.
In addition, he was a partner in Asante Wiredu and
Associates, an accounting firm, prior to being an MP.
Baah Wiredu was one of the campaigners against the Union
government (UNIGOV) concept put forward by General
Acheampong’s Supreme Military Council. He joined the New
Patriotic Party when it was formed in 1992 and became an MP
in the 1997.
He became a minister in President Kufor’s government in 2001
and held the portfolios of Local Government and Rural
Development (2001-2003) and Education, Youth and Sports
(2003-2005) before being named Minister for Finance and
Economic Planning in 2005.
GNA
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