By George Ernest Asare
The traditional one-week observances for Hon. Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu, the late Finance Minister, at his native town of Agogo last Wednesday, turned out to be more of a festival to celebrate the life of a gallant patriot, rather than a regular one-week observance.
The different makes of vehicles that flooded the Agogo township on that day, the massive crowd of different personalities, including paramount chiefs, religious leaders, academicians, politicians, students, farmers, comedians, musicians and the unemployed, among others, testified to the reality that, Ghana was indeed mourning one of her gallant sons.
As early as 8a.m. sympathisers, friends and dignitaries from neighbouring communities had massed up by the roadside, looking for the most available means of transport to go to Agogo to be part of the grand one-week funeral observation of their idol politician and Member of Parliament who since 1996 had faithfully represented them in Parliament.
From Konongo, the Asante Akim North District capital, through Nyaboo, to Kyekyebiase, Patriensa, Juansa and Hwidiem, -the main communities along the Konongo-Agogo highway - a sea of red and black colours massed up along the highway, waving pathetically to motorists, pleading to be conveyed to Konongo to be part of the ceremony .
It was therefore not surprising to find the Agogo highway, right from its outskirts through the Training College, hospital and main township, market and the forecourt of the Agogo palace, completely blocked by the sea of mourners with many of them weeping uncontrollably and questioning the early departure of Kwadwo Baah- Wiredu.
Describing the deceased variously as a man of the people, a politician par excellence, selfless, affable, sociable and hardworking many of the mourners paid personal tributes. The many brass bands, kete and adowa drums had their own tributes as performers succeeded in mixing traditional mourning with music, drawing many people into their fold to further congest the limited space available to accommodate those yet to arrive at the funeral grounds.
By 10:25a.m., almost all the principal streets in the Agogo township were completely choked with vehicular and human traffic. Those who had no space at the funeral grounds, found solace at the drinking spots where they consumed bottles of alcoholic beverages while others who like soldiers, could not march on empty stomachs, queued up at chop bars to fill their bellies to enable them have the requisite energy to face the task ahead.
Drinking water became an essential commodity and with the intensity of the sun’s rays, coupled with the sweat that flowed freely from the bodies of the mourners, they yearned for water, which was in short supply.
By 2pm, many politicians, including the Speaker of Parliament, Mr Ebenezer Begyina Sakyi Hughes, the Defence Minister, Mr Albert Kan Dapaah, the second Deputy Speaker, Mr Freddy Blay, The Minister for Fisheries, Mrs Gladys Asmah, The NPP National Chairman, Mr Peter Mac Manu, the running mate of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia as well as The Minister of State at the Office of the President, Mr Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu, the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the NDC, Mr Daniel Ohene Agyekum and his Vice, Alhaji Saani among other dignitaries in their mournful mood had paid their condolences to the bereaved family.
Nana Akuoko Sarpong, the Paramount Chief of Agogo traditional area, together with his sub chiefs and other chiefs from the surrounding communities gave colour to the celebration as they strolled magnificently to the funeral grounds, amid drumming and dancing .
The Chief Executive of the National Sports Council, Prince Oduro Mensah, the bank roller of King Faisal football club, Alhaji Karim Grunsah, the head coach of Kumasi Asante Kotoko football club, Mr Bashir Hayford and his Team Manager, Mr Opoku Afriyie, former Kotoko and Black Stars player, Rev Osei Kofi and his team mate, Wilberforce Kwadwo Mfum, together with Abrantee Amakye Dede, the Highlife King who is also a native of Agogo also made their presence felt at the celebration .
Famous kete groups such as Amamereso Kete group from the Centre for National Culture in Kumasi, the Nyame Akwan Kete group from Koforidua, Maame Ode Nnwonkro Adowa group, Bantama and Breman Kete groups, as well as the Nana Akwasi Agyemang Kete group from Dechemso in Kumasi, were among the traditional drummers and dancers who stormed Agogo to add spice to the celebration.
In her mournful mood, the mother of the late Finance Minister told Showbiz that she initially doubted the death of her son “ but the reality has now dawned on me that my son is gone for ever and I will never set eyes on him again”.
When Showbiz caught up with the driver of the late Finance Minister, Akwasi Addae, he was lost for words. Looking very pensive, Addae said he had been associated with the late Finance Minister for a long time before becoming his personal driver in 1996.
“What baffled me most about his death was that he called me from South Africa late on Monday, September 22 2008 and assured me that he had been discharged from the hospital after a minor surgery and that he was doing very well. He gave me a number to call him the day after, and when I called early on Wednesday, September 24, 2008, it was his wife who answered and broke the sad news that my boss was dead”.
When President John Agyekum Kufuor, together with the Chief of Staff at the Office of the President, Mr Kwadwo Mpianin, the Ashanti Regional Minister, Mr E.A Owusu –Ansah and other dignitaries were ushered into the family house at 4:15p.m., the wailings intensified. Nodding his head intermittently as a form of sympathy for the aged mother after he had formerly greeted her, the President could only say “ hye den” ( Be strong).
Before leaving however, the President held a close door meeting with the aged mother for a few minutes and later joined the massive crowd who had been eagerly waiting for his arrival at the funeral grounds.
However, moments after the President arrived at the funeral grounds, the heavens opened, and torrential rains poured out to informally disperse the mourners. Showers of blessing many mourners present called it; blessing to a beloved departed.
No comments:
Post a Comment