Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia says he was shocked at the passing of Mr. Ishmael Ashitey, a former Member of Parliament (MP) for Tema East, and one of the pillars of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
Mr. Ashitey, 67, who was also a former Minister of State, died on Friday, January 7, 2022, at the International Maritime Hospital in Tema.
Commiserating with the family on Sunday during a visit, Vice President Bawumia stated that the entire party was in mourning and found it very difficult to understand what happened.
He said: “But everything God knows because his ways are not our way. So when it happens like this, we have to give it to God.”
“He came and served faithfully for this party of ours. One of the most hardworking members and he achieved a lot for the party.”
“And so we have to continue to pray for his soul, and for his family. I’m so happy to see all of you here. It shows the NPP we are together,” he added.
The Vice President urged the NPP to continue to stay together and cautioned that a divided party will fall but together they will stand and expressed hope by Grace of God the party will continue standing.
He thanked members who took time off their busy schedule to visit the family and demonstrate their love for Mr. Ashitey and offer their condolences.
“I am sure as we go through the rest of the funeral arrangements we will all come together and give him a very befitting burial,” he added.
Mr. Ishmael Ashitey served as MP for the Tema East constituency in the 2nd, 3rd and 4th Parliaments of the 4th Republic of Ghana. During his tenure as Greater Accra Regional Chairman of the NPP, he led the party to retain the majority of the Parliamentary seats in the 2016 general elections. Mr. Ashitey reportedly returned from his routine medical checkup in the United States not too long ago and hosted some friends and family members in the afternoon prior to his demise at the hospital.
Veep Bawumia was accompanied by Stanley Nii Agyiri Blankson, Council of State Member, the Administrator of the District Assembly Common Fund, Irene Naa Torshie Lartey, and Greater Accra NPP executives.
