Burial of the late former Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Mr Jake Otanka Obetsebi-Lamptey, has been fixed for April 22, 2016.
There will be a burial service at the forecourt of the State House after which a private burial will take place at a location yet to be known.
A delegation from Mr Obetsebi-Lamptey’s family, led by Nii Lantey Otswedza, was at the Flagstaff House yesterday to formally announce the programme for the funeral to President John Mahama. Outlining the programme of activities to the President, Nii Otswedza said there would be pre-burial service for the celebration of life at the Ridge Church on April 21, 2016 from 6p.m. to 10p.m.
He said the late Obetsebi-Lamptey was very particular about the dress code to his funeral, which should be white in, what he described as, ‘joyous colours.’
Nii Otswedza thanked the President for the assistance the government had accorded the family in various ways towards the funeral.
Unifier
Responding, President Mahama said Mr Obetsebi-Lamptey contributed his quota to national development as campaign manager of the NPP in the 2000 election that led to the victory of former President J.A. Kufour and subsequently as National Chairman of the party.
He stated that the former Minister of State had always been a voice of reason when tempers had been high and always ensured that there was a channel through which parties could amicably resolve differences to lower the political temperature in view of his communication background.
President Mahama added that Mr Obetsebi-Lamptey brought his experience in communications to bear on his job as Chief of Staff in the early days of the Kufour-administration and later in his appointment as a Minister of State.
He expressed his condolence on behalf of the government to the bereaved family saying that whatever the government could do to give him a fitting farewell, it would be done.
The President gave an assurance that the government would be very well represented at the funeral.
Background
Mr Obetsebi-Lamptey died in a London hospital on March 20, 2016 after a protracted illness.
Born on February 4, 1946, he was a leading figure in advertising and marketing with a rich political history. His father was Mr Emmanuel Obetsebi-Lamptey, a member of the Big Six, who delivered Ghana from British colonial rule.
Leading figures in the NPP, including former President Kufour and Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo,the NPP flag bearer, expressed shock when news about the death of what many described as a statesman reached the country.
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