Tributes have been pouring in for the late Member of Parliament for Ayawaso west Wuogon, Mr. Emmanuel Kyeremanteng Agyarko, who died in a hospital in the United States (US), where he was receiving medical treatment.
Parliament suspended its debate on the 2019 budget out of respect for the deceased legislator, to visit his Ashongman residence to commiserate with the family.
The MPs expressed deep shock, grief and pain at the death of the man many on both sides of the political aisle described as a friend, mentor, counsellor and unifier.
Mr. Agyarko, a Pharmacist, was a former Chief Executive Officer of the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA).
He died 19 days to his 61st birthday.
Some MPs, who spoke to the Ghana News Agency (GNA), eulogized him for his humility and open-mindedness.
He was a friend to all and approachable, were some of the nice things they said about him.
Mr. Ras Mubarak, the Member for Kumbungu, said he was deeply shocked as the deceased did not show any visible signs of physical illness before the House went on recess last July.
He said the death of Mr. Agyarko was a huge loss, not only to the family, but the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), Parliament and the nation.
Mr Carlos Ahenkorah, MP (NPP) for Tema West, said it was very painful to lose Mr Agyarko at this stage of the nation’s democratic governance and that it was a big blow to the country.
He added that the deceased was a personal friend and had known him when he worked as an official of the Narcotics Control Board, and the FDA where he became CEO.
“Mr Agyarko’s death is big blow to the NPP Government. “May his soul rest in peace.”
Madam Felicia Adjei, MP for Kintampo South, spoke of how the late MP had encouraged her to make friends across the political divide, because differences in political views did not make legislators enemies.
Alhaji Boniface Abubakr Sadique, Minister of State at the Office of the Vice President and MP for Madina, recalled their student days at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) and said “the world is stage, and we will all have our entry and exit at a time”.
“Life is short; what is very important is that we will all play our expected and respected roles well.”
Madam Dela Sowah, MP for Kpando, also recounted their student days at the KNUST, and eulogized the late Agyarko as a consensus builder.
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