Reports reaching Peacefmonline say Former Food and Agriculture Minister in the erstwhile NPP government, Major Courage Quashigah (rtd), has passed away.
He passed away in Dimona in Israel on Tuesday, January 5th.
His son, Ivan Quashigah, who confirmed the death to the Daily Graphic yesterday, also spoke of his earlier plans to be by his father in Israel this week to wish him well and speedy recovery.
He was yet to confirm the departure date when he was hit by the sad news. In the circumstance however, Ivan had to fast-track the trip and leave today, possibly to bring the body back home.
Sources told PEACEFM, Major Quashigah was in Israel at the invitation of the Ministry of Divine Health in Dimona, to take part in an exclusive film interview dubbed �Enlightened Speakers Series�.
In Israel, he joined a group of health experts in reviewing the medical status of the natives of Dimona after achieving 35 years of health excellence.
The former Minister was in the news recently following allegations leveled against him of fraudulently awarding contracts to companies for the renovation of some training schools in the country.
But, Major Courage Quashigah (rtd), in an interview on PEACEFM�s �Kokrokoo� described the allegations as �spurious� and added that �the courts will definitely exonerate him.�
The Enquirer newspaper also carried a report captioned �Quashigah is dying� alleging that the Former Minister of Health had �been rushed out of the country to Israel to ostensibly seek emergency medical attention for a yet-to-be disclosed ailment.� The Enquirer hypothetically stated in the second paragraph of the report that �It is most likely he [is] suffering from stroke, exacerbating a decade-long waist problem.�
Kobla Asamani, Executive Officer at the Office of Major Quashigah (rtd) hit back at the Enquirer newspaper condemning the publication.
�Detailed Biography�
Major (rtd) Courage Emmanuel Kobla Quashigah, was born on September 9, 1947, at Kedzi, in the Volta Region.
He had his secondary education at the Keta Secondary School, where he sat for the G.C.E Ordinary and Advanced Level Examinations.
Major Quashigah then had his military training at the famous Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst, United Kingdom , where he obtained a Diploma in Economics, War Studies and Communication Studies.
In 1989, he had a stint at the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA) and came out with a Certificate in General Management.
The Minister of Agriculture also studied at various military establishments throughout the world to improve his professional efficiency.
These include The United States Army Infantry Schools in 1978, Canadian Staff School, Canadian Land Forces Command and Staff College (1987) and the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College (1989).
Major Quashigah achieved excellence in his soldiering career and received awards and commendations among which included Everand Award for Oratory and Presentation at the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Prince Abdul Faisal Ward for War Studies and the Sandhurst Military Academy and Distinguished Honour Graduate Ranger at the USAIS in the United States.
The rest are Cane and Certificate of Honour as Best Overseas Cadet and Highest in the Order of Merit at the RMAS, U.K. and Commendation for Efficient and Effective Command at UNIFIL, Lebanon.
His working experience dates back to 1978 when he served as the Intelligence Officer at the headquarters of the Second Infantry Brigade , Kumasi; Chief Instructor, Jungle Warfare School, Achiase ; Chief Operations Officer at the Provisional National Defence (PNDC) headquarters; Commanding Officer, Ghana Military Police; Commanding Officer, Force Reserve Battalion; Directing Staff, Military Academy and Training School and Member of Police Council.
He joined the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and contested for the position of national organiser which he won at its 1998 congress in Accra.
Meanwhile, the government has expressed deep shock at the sudden demise of Maj. Quashigah.
A statement signed by the Minister of Information, Mrs Zita Okaikoi, conveyed the government�s condolences on behalf of Ghanaians, to the family of the former Minister. �We are saddened by this disturbing news, coming just days after the country lost the Founder and Leader of the Great Consolidated Popular Party (GCPP),� the statement said.
It also recognized Maj. Quashigah�s contributions, both as a military officer and politician, to the development of the country.
Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana
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