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The state held a burial service for Mr Henry Romulus Sawyerr at the forecourt of the State House in Accra last Saturday. Mr Sawyerr, popularly known as Harry Sawyerr, who was a former member of the Council of State, died on November 8, 2013, at the age of 87. In attendance was the President, Mr John Dramani Mahama, the Vice-President, Mr Kwesi Bekoe Amissah-Arthur, as well as former Presidents Jerry John Rawlings and John Agyekum Kufuor. Also present were the Chief of Staff, Mr Prosper Douglas Bani, ministers and former ministers of state, Members of Parliament, executive members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), traditional and religious leaders, family members and friends. They all paid their last respects to the departed statesman. He was later buried at the Basel Mission Cemetery in Accra. President's tribute In his tribute, which was read on his behalf by the Minister of Information and Media Relations, Mr Mahama Ayariga, President Mahama said Mr Sawyerr "lived a fulfilling and eventful life." President Mahama said the passing away of Mr Sawyerr, whom he described as his uncle because of his relationship with his father, had offered an opportunity for Ghanaians to look at his life and learn some of the principles he held and use them to guide their lives in public service and in their relationship with one another. Touching on his contribution to the NDC, the President said, "Uncle served our party, the NDC, very well. He was an effective and efficient member of the Council of State that advised our former President, Jerry John Rawlings, and also served as the Vice Chairman of the NDC Council of Elders." Family tributes In her tribute, the widow, Esther, described her late husband as her friend and companion. She said Mr Sawyerr valued his reputation, and recalled that he asked her to close her shop when he became the Minister of Transport and Communications because people might speculate that the things in the shop were seized from the Kotoka International Airport. The children of Mr Sawyerr said in their tribute that he taught them discipline, honesty, integrity, perseverance, courage and the significance of hard work. They said their father was prepared to die for his country. "We would happily absorb the stories and anecdotes but you would never release the secrets we so wished to hear. The country meant so much to you. You were prepared to die for Ghana," they said. Background Mr Henry Romulus Sawyerr, alias Harry Sawyerr, died on November 8, 2013, at the age of 87. He was an astute politician and a chartered surveyor. During his life time, Mr Sawyerr distinguished himself in the areas of politics, nation building and in private practice as a chartered surveyor. He was a former member of the Council of State, former Minister of Transport and Communications, former Minister of Education and a former Member of Parliament. Mr Sawyerr resigned his position as Vice-Chairman of the Council of Elders of the National Democratic Congress Party days before he turned 87. He was decorated with the highest honour of state, Companion of the Order of the Volta, by the late President J. E. A. Mills.