By Iddi Yire
Accra, Nov 14, GNA – President John Dramani Mahama and his wife, First Lady Lordina on Friday led Ghanaians from all walks of life to bid farewell to the late Mrs Cecilia Akua Pokuaa Johnson, a former Chairperson of the Council of State at the forecourt of the State House in Accra.
Mrs Johnson was the first General Secretary of the 31st December Women’s Movement, and the first National Women’s Organizer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
She also served as a Deputy Minister for Local Government and Rural Development, and later on as a substantive Minister.
The President in his tribute read on his behalf by Mrs Joyce Bawa Mogtari, a Presidential Advisor and a Special Aide to the President said: “Today, we gather in dignity and gratitude to honour a remarkable daughter of Ghana—Mrs Cecilia Johnson.”
“We come not only to mourn her passing, but to celebrate a whole life poured out in service: to family, to community, to party and nation, and, above all, to the ideal that public office is a sacred trust.
“A life anchored In service Madam Cecilia stood tall in an era when leadership demanded both backbone and heart.
“She believed that good governance begins with listening and that consensus is not weakness, but wisdom. ”
Other distinguished mourners at the state funeral included Mr Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, the Speaker of Parliament; Mr Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, the Acting Chief Justice and Mr Edward Doe Korbly Adjaho, the Chairman of the Council of State.
Others are Mr Johnson Asiedu Nketia, the Chairman of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr Fifi Fiavi Kwetey, the General Secretary of the NDC and the Nungua Mantse, Oboade Notse King Professor Odaifio Welentsi III.
GNA
Edited by George-Ramsey Benamba