Parliamentary sitting was on Friday suspended following news of the passing of the immediate past vice president of Ghana, Paa Kwesi Bekoe Amissah-Arthur.
Mr Amissah-Arthur, who was Vice President from 2012 to 2017, passed away Friday morning after collapsing during a morning work-out at the Air Force Gym in Accra.
He was rushed to the 37 Military Hospital but could not survive.
After the news reached Parliament mid-morning Friday, sitting was immediately suspended.
Leadership, consequently, proceeded to the Amissah-Arthur home at North Ridge to commiserate with the widow, Matilda, and the grieving family.
But before embarking on the visit, Speaker of Parliament Professor Mike Aaron Oquaye eulogized the late former vice president for his role played in sustaining democracy in the country.
The House had apparently met for the day’s business.
But the Speaker underscored the role of Mr Amissah-Arthur and announced the decision to pay a courtesy visit on the family pronto.
Majority Leader Osei Kyei-Mensa-Bonsu also praised the gentle nature of Mr Amissah-Arthur while he was vice president of Ghana.
Then in opposition, the New Patriotic Party Member of Parliament said the late former vice president was tolerant of divergent opinions.
Minority Chief Whip Muntaka Mubarak Mohammed expressed shock at the news.
According to him, the passing of Mr Amissah-Arthur will leave a bid void that will be difficult to fill within the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
The Asawase MP said the late NDC Council of Elders member had been available to advise the Minority Caucus in Parliament on matters his opinion had been sought on.
He personally paid glowing tribute to Mr Amissah-Arthur, recalling how he stood in rain during his 2016 campaign launch in Asawase.
He said as the special guest, the then Vice President was unperturbed by the downpour and he stood in the rains until the event was over.
Source: 3news.com|Ghana