Late Abetifi MP goes home today
Sorrow and grief was the mood at the forecourt of Parliament House yesterday as family members, politicians, and a section of the public gathered to observe a ceremony to bid farewell to the late Member of Parliament (MP) for Abetifi, Mr Peter Wiafe Pepera.
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The 62-year old New Patriotic Party (NPP) MP, who was serving a second term in Parliament, died of a suspected heart attack on May 21, this year,at the 37 Military Hospital.
He was a member of the Privileges, Trade, Industry and Tourism committees of Parliament until his sudden departure.
The state ceremony
The state event was attended by key functionaries of the NPP such as former President John Agyekum Kufuor, the party’s running mate for the 2016 polls, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, Mr Alan Kyerematen,Mr Hackman Owusu-Agyemang, as well as the leadership of Parliament and MPs from both sides of the divide.
Dignitaries and the public took turns to file past the remains of the late MP and to pay their last respects to him. The body was then conveyed to his family residence at Abetifi, where it will be laid to rest today.
Religious rites
The solemn ceremony was officiated by the Parish Priest of the Christ the King Catholic Church, Very Rev. Father Andrew Campbell.
He took the scripture from John 11:17-27 and urged the public to use the death of the MP as a wake up call to fulfil their godsend responsibilities with diligence.
He said death was an inevitable stage of life that ought not to be feared, since it afforded the upright the opportunity to enjoy in the heavenly kingdom.
Former President Kufuor (seated) and some Members of Parliament bidding the late MP farewell as the casket containing his remains was being carried away
“We should not be afraid of death, but rather how we can fulfil the task God gave to us as a mission on earth. One day, everyone will face God and render account of their stewardship. He will ask us how we led our lives on earth and whether it was glorifying,” he added.
Very Rev. Father Campbell urged the public to desist from being lovers of wealth at the expense of maintaining a good relationship with God.
Pallbearers carrying the remains of the late Mr Peter Wiafe Pepera.
He gave intercessory prayers for the soul of the departed MP and asked for the blessings of God for his immediate family, the constituents, and the nation at large.
Tributes
The Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Dr Joe Ghartey, who led the delegation from the House to read the tribute, described the late MP as an affable fellow whose services would be missed by the House and the country.
“Indeed, words have eluded us and we find it extremely difficult to bear or swallow this great loss to the Parliament of Ghana, the constituents, and indeed, the nation as a whole.
The reason for our difficulty stems from the suddenness of his death. It is, therefore, with a deep sense of loss that we pay this tribute to our departed colleague,” he said.
He called on the public to emulate the sense of humility, respect, and tolerance the legislator exhibited, saying the MP had paid his dues to the state.
Family members shed tears while a section of the public sobbed as the children of the late MP took the stage to read their tribute amidst weeping.