By Ernest Addo
The refrain from Ghanaians since the death was reported of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Forestry Commission (FC), Lawyer Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie, which sad event occurred on Wednesday, July 1, 2020, at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, has been that “he was a good man.”
Across the political divide, tributes pouring in speak well of the former General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) as the man who brought many intrigues into Ghanaian politicking and affected positively every person he came into contact with.
“I received the news of the death of Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie, aka Sir John, with great shock and deep sadness. Indeed, the disbelief and grief expressed by many at the news of his death are testimony to how people, in and out of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), felt about him”, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo wrote about his for General Secretary.
He continued “Passionate devotee of the Danquah-Dombo-Busia political tradition, outstanding stalwart of the NPP, strong defender of human rights as a lawyer, proud, faithful adherent of the Christian Adventist faith – these were the multi-facetted aspects of the career and character of ‘Sir John’, which earned him considerable renown both as erstwhile General Secretary of the NPP and CEO of the Forestry Commission.
Kojo Owusu Afriyie was affectionately known as Sir John.
Energetic, ebullient, jovial, with an exceptional sense of humour, and possessing a limitless store of folktales and proverbs, he affected positively every person with whom he came into contact.
He was truly unforgettable, and our party and government owe him an immense debt for his work and commitment.
My wife Rebecca and I extend our deepest condolences to his entire family. Sakora Wonoo has lost a valiant son. He will be widely missed.
May the Good Lord bless him, and give him a peaceful place of abode in His Bosom until the Last Day of the Resurrection when we shall all meet again.
Sir John, we will never forget you!!”
Vice president Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, in a tweet hours after the news indicated he had spoken to Sir John a day earlier and was surprised to learn of his passing. He described him as a good man who would be missed.
Former president John Mahama also described the late Forestry Commission boss as an “intriguing politician,” in a Facebook post yesterday, while commiserating with the family of the 67-year-old.
“He (Sir John) was a feisty and intriguing politician who brought lots of interesting moments to our political discourse,” he said.
The lawyer and politician popularly called Sir John died in Accra on Wednesday evening after a short illness. He died after reportedly testing positive for Covid-19.
He succumbed to complications of the disease while undergoing treatment at the ICU of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital.
“My condolences to the family of our dear brother, and my good friend, Sir John, Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie.
“I also extend my condolences to the entire New Patriotic Party (NPP) family for this painful loss,” Mr. Mahama said.
Former National Security Coordinator, Larry Gbevlo-Lartey stated on Facebook that “This was a good man.”
Meanwhile, “As a mark of respect in honour of his memory, the NPP directs that all party flags at the National Headquarters and in the respective Regions and Constituencies be flown at half-mast for the next seven days,” the party noted in a statement signed by its current General Secretary, John Boadu.
The party also extended its condolences to Sir John’s immediate family, particularly his wife and children “for this incalculable loss”.
“The NPP equally commiserates with his close associates in the party as well as workers of the Forestry Commission and indeed the rest of the nation for the loss of such a great national asset,” the party added in the statement.
Read below the full statement of the NPP:
NPP MOURNS LAWYER KWADWO OWUSU AFRIYIE (SIR JOHN)
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has received with profound shock and disbelief news of the passing of one of its leading members, Lawyer Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie, which sad event occurred on Wednesday, July 1, 2020, at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital.
Until his passing, Sir John, as he was affectionately called, was the Chief Executive Officer of the Forestry Commission, and of course, a party kingpin by all standards.
He also, with distinction, served the party in various capacities at all levels culminating in his election as the NPP General Secretary, a position he held from 2010 to 2014.
The party is indeed saddened by his passing, and accordingly, extends its condolence to his immediate family particularly his wife and children for this incalculable loss.
The NPP equally commiserates with his close associates in the party as well as workers of the Forestry Commission and indeed the rest of the nation for the loss of such a great national asset.
As a mark of respect in honour of his memory, the NPP directs that all party flags at the National Headquarters and in the respective Regions and Constituencies be flown at half-mast for the next seven days.
May the soul of our dearly departed find comfort in God’s bosom and may the family he left behind and indeed all of us in the party and beyond find fortitude to bear this great loss.
Damerefa Due!!!
…Signed…
JOHN BOADU
GENERAL SECRETARY
