Parliamentarians mourn departed colleague

Accra, Oct. 7, GNA - Parliament reconvened on Tuesday after a long recess but had to re-schedule the main business for the day as members mourned their colleague, the Finance Minister, Mr Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu, who died in South Africa a couple of weeks ago.

The House was scheduled to continue with a debate on the National Pension Reform Bill, which incidentally was moved by the late Finance Minister on July 17, this year just before Parliament went on recess. When the House sat on Tuesday, the leadership from the majority and minority sides of the House said judging from the mood of members and out of respect for their departed colleague, the debate on the pension bill be shifted to Wednesday.

Majority of members were clad in red arm-bands and mourning clothes with red bands draped over their necks. Mr Baah-Wiredu's vacant seat and that of the Speaker of Parliament were also covered with a red cloth. Earlier, the House observed a minute's silence in memory of the late member.

Mr Ebenezer Sekyi Hughes, Speaker, described the late Minister as affable and hardworking and said his greatest asset was his humility. He said the leadership of the House was in touch with the family of the deceased to arrange a fitting burial for their colleague. Mr Sekyi informed members that the body of the Mr Baa-Wiredu was expected back home on Wednesday. Meanwhile, the House is expected to sit for four weeks, take a break for the December elections and reconvene after December 7. The Ghana Petroleum Oversight Authority Bill and the Home Mortgage Finance Bill were among business slated for this meeting.