Death is certainly an unavoidable scourge for mankind, but regardless of ones physical state of health, it is still unpleasant to be informed about a death.
Ghanaians have over the last two years been hit with consistent reports of the death of key people in government, high-rated professionals and people in academia.
Currently, Ghanaians are mourning the death of one of their most industrious ones, Paul Victor Obeng, who passed away on Saturday, May 17, 2014. He is said to have died of an acute asthmatic attack. Until his sudden demise, 69-year-old P.V. Obeng was the senior presidential advisor and chairman of the National Development Planning Commission.
He has served in several public positions since the 1979 revolution under former President Jerry John Rawlings. Unlike many, P.V., as he was affectionately called, was one of the few politicians in Ghana who was liked by even his political opponents. This is evident in the kind of tributes paid in his memory by opposition party members and Ghana�s former president. P.V., they say, was an intelligent and a patriotic Ghanaian.
Even though PV�s death may be accepted as normal, considering his age, I guess it could serve as an opportunity to take a snapshot of the number of high-profile Ghanaians who have passed on over the past two years.
The shocking demise of the Chief Executive of the country himself, President John Evans Atta Mills, who died on July 24, 2012 at the 37 Military Hospital, a few days after his 68th birthday. He is alleged to have died of a massive stroke.
Alhaji Aliu Mahama, who was Ghana�s former Vice-President during President�s Kufuor's Presidency, died on November 14, 2012 at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital of heart-related complications. He was 66.
Then there was the unfortunate shooting at Kenya�s Westgate shopping mall by militant group Al-shabaab on September 21, 2013, which claimed the life of Professor Kofi Awoonor, who was a former chairman of the Council of State and a prominent Africa poet.
Fourth to fall was popular Ghanaian BBC broadcaster Komla Dumor, who died early this year on January 18 from cardiac arrest at his London base apartment. He was 41 years old. He was the presenter of the BBC�s Focus on Africa programme.
Then the deaths hit academia. First was Professor Marian Ewurama Addy, who was famously known for the popular TV programme 'Brilliant Maths and Science Quiz'. She died on January 14, 2014 after a short illness. The 72-year-old professor was a lecturer at the University of Ghana.
Former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ghana, Professor Kwadwo Asenso-Okyere died on May 10, 2014 while on an FAO project abroad. Prof. Asenso-Okyere served as Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ghana form 2002 to 2006.
Unfortunately, Sir P.V. Obeng has joined these dead heroes of our land.
These people have played their roles in the development of our country. May their souls rest in perfect peace!
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