Rawlings mourns with family of PV Obeng

Former President Jerry John Rawlings has visited the family of the late Paul Victor Obeng to commiserate with family members on the passing of the Former Chairman of the Committee of Secretaries of the Provisional National Defense Council (PNDC).

The former president in the company of his wife, Nana Konadu Agyemang-Rawlings, and his aide, Kofi Adams, was at Mr Obeng’s Tema residence on Wednesday. PV Obeng died on Saturday, May 17 after a sudden illness.

Mr Rawlings recounted the pre-Armed Forces Revolutionary Council era when his wife referred him to the late PV Obeng as one of the knowledgeable persons he could count on in his resolve to save the country from political and economic depletion.

No wonder, Mr Rawlings said, he appointed him, to his position in the PNDC from 1982 to 1992.

Until his death, Mr Obeng was serving in the National Democratic Congress’ government as the Senior Presidential Advisor and Chairman of the National Development Planning Commission.

Ex-President Rawlings extolled his former right-hand man, saying: “He was one of the best and I think he could very well have been the best”.

The First President of the Fourth Republic added that though hardworking, PV Obeng served the nation to the neglect of his health.

“One time I saw him and I drew his attention to it,” he added.

The family of PV Obeng is expected to announce date of his burial on Saturday, May 24, when it marks one week after his death.