THE normal busy activities of the newsrooms of the Daily Graphic and its sister papers were yesterday almost brought to a standstill as a tense atmosphere of disbelief followed the news of the demise of Mr Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu, arguably one of Ghana’s most hardworking ministers in recent times. Indeed the whole nation was thrown into a state of mourning the moment his death was made public.
Kwadwo, as he was affectionately called during his time as the Finance Minister, worked hard to present the government’s financial and budget statement in November to conform with the provisions of the Constitution.
Since his appointment as the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning in 2005, Kwadwo had helped to steer the economy through turbulent times to build and consolidate the robust nature of the economy.
He was instrumental in ensuring that the economy did go into recession, especially when the oil and food crises hit hard at the country since the beginning of the year.
Crude oil prices soared from the government’s budgeted estimates of $85 per barrel to $147 per barrel at the end of June, yet Kwadwo assured the nation that the economy was resilient enough to withstand these shocks. And to a large extent, the economy has weathered the economic shocks.
People in the media remember Kwadwo for his humour and affable disposition. Here was someone who was prepared to share information on the economy with any journalist.
At the launch of the Graphic Business in Accra on August 26, 2008, Baah-Wiredu stated, “Ghana had recorded positive developments in the economy, in spite of the global soaring oil and food prices” and that “the economy is growing”.
The Daily Graphic recalls that Baah-Wiredu was instrumental in the GT-Vodafone deal and addressed the issues rather than condemned opponents of the deal.
Officials of the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning and his close allies speak of Kwadwo as a workaholic and one who sacrificed his personal comfort for the good of society.
He carried himself in both public and private life in such a manner that he was a liked personality by both supporters of the ruling party and the minority parties.
The nation indeed has lost a gem. His sudden death has created a big vacuum and an irreplaceable loss.
Kwadwo, you have fought a good fight, you have finished the race, you have kept the faith. Now there is in store for you the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to you on that day and not only to you but also all who have longed for his appearance (2 Timothy 4:7-8).
It is the prayer of the Daily Graphic that Baah-Wiredu’s departure and funeral rites will bring all of us together as one great nation determined in our resolve to break the back of poverty, disease and squalor.
To Kwadwo’s family, we wish them God’s abundant grace in these trying times.
We know that no amount of tears we shed with the family will heal the pain of the Finance Minister’s death, but we believe that the passing on of this genius would be a source of fulfilment for them because their father, husband, son and brother toiled hard to contribute his quota to the efforts of the government to build a better Ghana.
Kwadwo Due, Due, Due! May the good Lord offer you eternal rest.
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