General News of Saturday, 16 August 2014

Source: GNA

Hundreds pay last respect to PV

Hundreds of mourners on Friday trooped to the State House to attend the non-denominational church service for the late Mr Paul Victor Obeng, Senior Presidential Adviser.

The service was officiated priests from the various Christian denominations.

Present at the service was President John Mahama and the First Lady, Mrs Lordina Mahama, Vice President Paa Kwesi Bekoe Amissah-Arthur and his spouse Mrs Matilda Amissah-Arthur.

Other dignitaries at the service include Former President Jerry John Rawlings, Former President John Agyekum Kufuor, Mr Edward Doe Adjaho, the Speaker of Parliament and the Chief Justice, Mrs Justice Georgina Wood.

Also at the service were Ministers of State, Members of Parliament, members of the Diplomatic Corps, religious leaders and the leadership of political parties.

The family of the late PV Obeng, the wife and children were all in solemn mood as the memorial service was organized for their beloved and departed statesman.

Besides, students from the Opoku Ware Secondary School, the Alma Marta of the late PV Obeng were at the service to pay their last respect to their senior comrade.

Dr Edward Omane Boamah, the Minister of Communications who read President John Mahama’s tribute described the late Mr P.V. Obeng as a mentor and unifier, whose commitment to duty would forever be missed.

He said the late P.V provided support and pieces of advice to various politicians in the country, irrespective of their political affiliations, social, economic or geographical location.

He said he would particularly be remembered for his contribution to the governance system of his administration, especially in the organisation of the Senchi Economic Forum.

The President also described him as the selfless and tireless Ghanaian whose wise counseling inspired him as a politician.

Mrs Rose Obeng whose tribute read on her behalf stated that her late husband was her advisor and brother who refused during his lifetime to settle their differences outside their roof.

There were also messages from other churches and religious leaders to pay their last respect to the late statesman. Tributes were also read by members of his family, children and his parish.

After the church service the pallbearers from the military took the casket to the Air Force Base to be flown to Kumasi for the second phase of the funeral programme after which he would be sent to Adansi Akokeri, his hometown, for burial of Saturday.