President John Evans Atta Mills has commended the loyalty and camaraderie of the late Mr Joel Hyde, a member of the Government Economic Advisory Team, who died on October 18, 2011.
Overwhelmed with emotion, President Mills traced an unwavering friendship that the late Mr Hyde exhibited and recalled with a sense of gratitude that sometime in the past when some people did not want to have anything to do with he President Mills because he had lost the 2000 general elections, the late Mr Hyde stood solidly by him.
� Joel was with me throughout,� President Mills said as he and First Lady Naadu sympathized with the bereaved family at the late Mr Hyde's East Legon residence.
He recalled the bond of friendship that had developed between them since from 1957, through their professional working lives, and Mr Hyde later becoming a Member of his economic advisory team.
President Mills said the late Mr Hyde was very forthright, and would not mince words to express his opinion and �say it as it is� no matter the personality involved. While recalling his punctuality and his sense of humour, President Mills comforted the family on the loss of Mr Hyde, and said all who were associated with him had to be proud of him.
President Mills expressed the belief that the late Mr Hyde was resting in the arms of the Lord.
Mr Ate Ofosu- Amaah, spokesman for the bereaved family, thanked the First Couple for the visit and words of encouragement.
He said the family would inform the President of the funeral arrangements.
President Mills later signed a book of condolence in memory of the late Mr Hyde who left behind two children. During his lifetime, the late Mr Hyde was an architect, a businessman and industrialist. He also served on many boards including the Freed Zones Board, the Board of CAL Bank, Managing Director of Somotx Ghana Limited and Board Member of the Somotx Group of Companies.
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