By Gifty Boateng
A former Greater Accra Regional chairman of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC), Joseph Ade Coker, has reportedly died after a short illness and at 68 years.
The prominent NDC figure died on Saturday May 31 2025, at the Bank Hospital at Cantonments in Accra.
Before veering into full time politics, Ade Coker was known for his contribution to football especially at the club level. He was once the chairman of the Great Olympics Football.
He was once upon a time a vice chairman of the Ghana Football Association (GFA).
He had served the NDC as chairman in the region from 2009 but was defeated by the current chairman, Emmanuel Ashie Moore, in a fiercely and acrimonious regional executive election in 2022.
After his defeat, he took a break and later started representing the party on media platforms.
Since the return of the NDC into political power, he has been seen in party and government activities especially during the vetting of ministers.
His death comes barely two months after another prominent stalwart in the party and a former Ambassador to India, Sam Pee Yarley, also died. Condolences have begun pouring in for the prominent political and sporting figure.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) Godwin Edudzi Tamekloe, who served under Ade Coker as a deputy regional youth organizer has eulogized him.
“I call him Chairman Ade Coker; I served under his chairmanship as a deputy regional youth organizer in Greater Accra Region. He was a father figure and he taught me a lot. He taught me one thing, you cant stop people from talking about you but learn how to react. Most importantly, get the work done. He calls me “my lawyer”. You have served party and Ghana well. Rest well in the Lord’s Mighty hands. Amen”, he said in a post.
A presidential advisor and special aide to President John Dramani Mahama, also described Ade Coker as a “great man”.
In a social media post, Joyce Bawah Mogtari great man indeed is no more! Journey well senior comrade Chairman Ade Coker! Indeed, you can never stop people from talking about you, good and bad.
His comments after each appearance on any platform. His enduring commitment to the Great NDC party will be sorely missed. He wore it beautifully and honorably. Rest in peace eternal, chairman.