Salia was a committed and dedicated person - Tia

Accra, March 19, GNA - Mr John Akologo Tia, Deputy Majority Leader has described the death of Mr Edward Salia as a big blow to Parliament and the country as a whole.

He said Parliament would miss his incisive and intelligent contributions as well as his immense knowledge of the proceedings of the House.

Mr Tia was speaking to the Ghana News Agency on Thursday just after the state funeral for the late Salia who died on February 17, this year, at the age of 57.

Mr Tia said the late Member of Parliament for Jirapa served as a bridge between the opposing sides on many issues that he offered his opinions on.

"His generosity, character and attitude was worthy of emulation," adding that, "the man has so much energy and was prepared to be of service to mankind to help society." Mr Tia said the late Salia at the age of 32 has shown high standards in his work and headed the then Upper Regional Development Corporation and the Farmers Services Corporation also in the Upper Region.

He said aside of being an academic, Mr Salia was also a prominent farmer in rice, tomatoes and maize production, which encouraged the youth of Jirapa to also go into farming.

The Deputy Majority Leader said the late Salia played a major role in the then emerging telecommunication industry in Ghana and with his experience, helped to propel the industry to what it is now. "He played a major role in setting up the National Communication Authority and also performed creditably when he was the Minister of Communication and that of Roads and Transport."

"Such a person deserves praise and no wonder he had a state funeral, which shows his contributions to the State." Mr Prince Kofi Klusdjeson, Chairman of Altell Communications and the past President of the Association of Ghanaian Industries described Mr Salia as a nice person who dedicated his work to the development of the nation. He praised the late MP for his commitment towards the transformation of the telecommunication industry in Ghana. He recounted a trip he made with the late Salia to the US where Mr Salia showed immense knowledge in policy issues concerning the telecommunication industry and was instrumental in the formation of the national communication regulatory body.