Former President, Jerry John Rawlings, and former First Lady, Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, last Saturday joined hundreds of mourners in Accra to bid farewell to Dr Titus Aruna Morton, a distinguished medical practitioner who passed away in November 2013.
Dr Morton was recognised as the first Ghanaian doctor to establish a private medical practice and was for years a personal physician of President Nkrumah.
In a tribute read on his behalf, President Rawlings described Dr Morton as a mild-mannered and disciplined personality whose kindness was rare.
Dr Morton, who died at the age of 95, left behind a wife and 13 children.
Tribute by Rawlings
President Rawlings said, �Dr Titus Aruna Morton was a significant feature of my childhood.�
He said Dr Morton represented the era of environmental consciousness. The era when trees were a significant part of each household.
He said environmental cleanliness was strictly adhered to then and that the filth and rubbish we find across our cities and towns nowadays was simply non-existent.
President Rawlings said today, our beaches had become an embarrassing eyesore to the extent that many parents were wary of sending their children out there to swim or just play in the sand.
�Our lack of environmental discipline is largely a contributory factor to the scourge of indiscipline and corruption that has engulfed our society,� he added.
He said he did not know if the respected doctor had the opportunity to drive around town in his final days.
�As a physician to Ghana�s first President, I am convinced, he did not hesitate to offer sound advice that would have had some sobering effect,� he added.
President Rawlings said Dr Morton loved his community and offered significant social service such that his medical facility used to give free service to many disadvantaged patients.
�You have paid your dues, Dr Titus Aruna Morton. You left a mark on many lives, including your 13 children you fathered with your one and only wife.
Thankfully, they have all grown into successful professionals in various spheres of life.
You will be sorely missed. Fare thee well, Sir,� former President Rawlings concluded.
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