The leadership of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Western Region have expressed shock over the death of their acting Regional Chairman, Benjamin Kwaw.
The family of Kwaw confirmed to Citi News that Mr. Benjamin Kwaw, 56, was pronounced dead at the Effia Nkwanta Regional Hospital on Monday morning.
A family member, madam Abena Kwala, who is also a former Western Regional Women’s organizer, told Citi News that “I spoke to Ben last night and this morning. He did not mention to me neither his wife of any ailment. It was this morning [Monday] that he complained of heart pains in the middle of his routine early morning jogging.”
“He returned home, picked a few things and together with his wife headed for the Effia Nkwata Regional Hospital. He was pronounced dead shortly after reaching the hospital.”
Western Region NPP mourns Kwaw
The Western Regional Secretary of the NPP, Charles Bissue, in an interview with Citi News expressed shock at the death of their chairman.
“We had planned for a regional executives meeting this very morning [Monday] since the national acting General Secretary of our party John Boadu has come to partake in this meeting. Some members had also traveled from all parts of the region to participate. Some were already seated. We were all shocked when we were told he has passed away at the hospital. We eventually suspended our meeting and started working at preparations for his burial,” he lamented.
About the acting NPP chairman
Benjamin Kwaw was married with five children. He was a businessman who doubled as a building contractor. He also operated an oil distribution firm.
Political career
Benjamin Kwaw was asked by the then NPP National Chairman, Peter Mark Manu and a founding member of the party, Etwire Antwi Adjei, to move from the Greater Accra Region to the Western Region, to steer the affairs of the party there.
He was appointed as the Deputy Western Regional Organizer of the NPP in 2009, after he failed to be elected as the first Vice chairman of the party in the region
He later won the position on 25th January 2014 in the party’s last regional elections.
Two months into his election as first Regional Vice Chairman, he was handed the chairmanship position after the substantive Chairman-elect, Dickson Atta Nketsia suffered some illness.
He has since been chairing the party’s activities in the region until Monday morning, when he complained of heart problems after a routine early morning jogging.
Kwaw eulogised
Regional Secretary Charles Bissue and other party members who rushed to his residence at Kwesimintsim to sympathize with the family, noted that Mr. Benjamin Kwaw’s leadership qualities and commitment to building a robust and formidable party ahead of this year’s election.
“He had love and vision to help the party win more seat in this year’s election. We are also committed to finish his works. He was hardworking and we will also work at ensuring that his commitment and vision will live on.”
Mr. Bejamin Kwaw’s remains have been deposited at the Effia Nkwanta Regional Hospital morgue while family members are preparing for his burial.
–
By: Obrempong Yaw Ampofo/citifmonline.com/Ghana