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President Akufo-Addo and NPP elders express shock over the death of Sir John

Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie, the former general secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), died on Wednesday in Accra after a brief illness

President Akufo-Addo has expressed shock at the death of the chief executive officer of the Forestry Commission, Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie aka Sir John.

In a Facebook post on Thursday, President Akufo-Addo said: “I received the news of the death of Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie, aka Sir John, with great shock and deep sadness. Indeed, the disbelief and grief expressed by many at the news of his death are testimony to how people, in and out of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), felt about him.

“Passionate devotee of the Danquah-Dombo-Busia political tradition, an outstanding stalwart of the NPP, strong defender of human rights as a lawyer, proud, a faithful adherent of the Christian Adventist faith – these were the multifaceted aspects of the career and character of ‘Sir John’, which earned him considerable renown both as erstwhile general secretary of the NPP and CEO of the Forestry Commission.

“Energetic, ebullient, jovial, with an exceptional sense of humour, and possessing a limitless store of folk tales and proverbs, he affected positively every person with whom he came into contact. He was truly unforgettable, and our party and government owe him an immense debt for his work and commitment.”

The president added: “My wife Rebecca and I extend our deepest condolences to his entire family. Sakora Wonoo has lost a valiant son. He will be widely missed.

“May the Good Lord bless him, and give him a peaceful place of abode in His Bosom until the Last Day of the Resurrection when we shall all meet again. Sir John, we will never forget you!!”

Until his death, Sir John was the chief executive officer of the Forestry Commission.

He was appointed as the CEO in March 2017 by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

He died while undergoing treatment at the intensive-care unit of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra.

The NPP’s Council of Elders also expressed its sorrow following the news of Sir John’s death. The chairman of the Council, Hackman Owusu-Agyeman, issued a statement on the evening of 2 July, saying:

“The National Council of Elders of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has received the news of the death of Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie, known by the rank and file of the party as Sir John, with shock, disbelief and deep sadness.

“On behalf of myself and the entire membership of Council, I extend our deepest condolences to his family, the wife and children.

“He will be widely missed by members of Council and, we hope, the larger members of the NPP.

“Sir John, we will for ever remember your legacy.”

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* This article was updated at 4.25am on Friday 3 July to include a message from the NPP Council of Elders.

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