Nation mourns P.V. Obeng
One of Ghana’s political icons, Sir Paul Victor Obeng, joins his ancestors at Akrokerri, his hometown, today after a state funeral was held for him in Accra and Kumasi yesterday.
Advertisement
The funeral in Accra, which was characterised by dirges, eulogies and biblical admonitions, was attended by President John Dramani Mahama and his wife, Lordina; the Vice-President, Mr Kwesi Bekoe Amissah-Arthur; the Chief Justice, Mrs Justice Georgina Theodora Wood, members of the diplomatic corps, ministers of state and Members of Parliament.
Also in attendance were former presidents Jerry John Rawlings and John Agyekum Kufuor, as well as a cross section of the Ghanaian society
Arriving at exactly 9.02 a.m, President Mahama and his wife filed past the remains of the man who was his senior adviser.
Earlier, the Vice-President had paid his last respects.
Former President Rawlings, who brought P.V. into politics, accompanied by his wife, Nana Konadu, stopped twice as he filed past the body, stared closely at the remains of the man who was the de facto Prime Minister during the PNDC administration before moving away quietly.
The body, which had lain in state inside the Banquet Hall of the State House from Thursday afternoon for public viewing, was moved to the forecourt yesterday morning for the state funeral.
Mr Obeng, popularly known as P.V, who transcended national politics to become an icon, died suddenly on May 17 this year at the age of 67.
The widow, Mrs Rose Obeng, accompanied by her children and family members, took turns to pay their last respects.
The sister of the deceased, Dr Charlotte Abaka, could not hold back her tears as she read the biography of his brother, who she described as a pillar of the family and a national asset.
President Mahama’s tribute
In an eulogy read on his behalf, President Mahama mentioned the role Mr Obeng played in shaping his political career.
He said it was, therefore, logical that when he became President, he decided to tap into his repertoire of wisdom and knowledge.
President Mahama recalled Mr Obeng's regular encouragement to him following the death of President Mills.
He said Mr Obeng's knowledge of virtually every topic was amazing, adding that he was also humble, compassionate and dedicated.
"He was a man on the go. His eloquence came with substance. He was a committed man on a mission,” President Mahama said, adding that PV possessed a huge amount of institutional expertise and memory that you could count on, especially in difficult times.
The President said for many years Mr Obeng was one of the people at the forefront of national development.
Sermon
The officiating clergyman, Most Rev. Charles Gabriel Palmer-Buckle, said it was important for man to live life in a way that would make others weep when he died, while he (the dead) would be rejoicing.
Most Rev. Palmer-Buckle said when he thought of Mr Obeng and the name he made for himself, his nation and the church, there was no wonder everyone was weeping at his death.
Most Rev. Palmer-Buckle advised people to slow down in their work schedule "because after 60 years every day is a bonus".
He said P.V. went for consensus building even in politics and it was no wonder the entire nation mourned him for the good things he did.
Other tributes
Other tributes were paid by the widow and children.
P.V. Obeng will be burried at his native Adansi-Akrokerri after another church service in Kumasi.
