Parliament pays tribute to Ford Kamel

The MP for Sekondi, Papá Owusu-Ankomah, said although he had not been close to the late MP for Buem, he considered the deceased a gentleman who was very candid.

He said during the late Kamel's time as Volta Regional Minister, he built concensus among the people, adding that in his advocacy of the National Democratic Congress's (NDC’s) position, Mr Kamel took into consideration the views of others.

Papá Owusu-Ankomah said the NDC had lost an asset, while the nation had lost a great son.

He said as the nation prepared to bid Kamel farewell, all must remember that "a good name is better than riches".

The MP for Ketu North, Mr James Klutse Avedzi, said he met the late regional minister on  December 23, 2012 at a meeting which the deceased chaired and was, therefore, shocked to hear two days later that he had died.

He expressed the hope that the people of Buem would find a fitting replacement for him.

The MP for Central Tongu, Mr Joe Gidisu, said the minister’s sudden death was a wake up call to MPs to take issues bordering on health seriously.

He called for the "reactivation" of the regular health screening exercise for members.

He said Mr Kamel had paid his dues to his party, his constituents and Ghana.

The MP for Tamale South, Mr Haruna Iddrisu, said one thing the late member would be remembered for was his readiness to learn from others.

"It is not surprising that under his leadership, the NDC' s performance in the Volta Region improved," he said, and expressed the hope that the late member’s dream to have an ICT centre in his constituency would be fulfilled.

The MP for Asutifi South, Alhaji Collins Dauda, said Mr Kamel, who served under him as Deputy Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, was a hardworking and calm person.

"He will be remembered for his hard work, humility and courteousness," he said.

The Minority Leader, Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, described the late member as "very consultative".

He said the best tribute that Ghanaians could pay to the late member was to ensure that there was peace in his house, his family and his constituency.

Other contributors were the MPs for North Tongu, Asawase and Mion, Mr Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Alhaji Muntaka Mubarak and Dr Ahmed Yakubu Alhassan, respectively.

Story by Mark Anthony Vinorkor