“He was a Ghanaian Patriot Par Excellence” – Akufo-Addo Reacts to John Kumah’s Death

President Nana Addo-Dankwa Akufo-Addo has described the late Deputy Finance Minister, Dr. John Ampontuah Kumah, as a “Ghanaian patriot par excellence” who executed his role with “a deep sense of compassion and empathy”.

The president’s eulogy comes a few hours after the passing of the Deputy Minister. The Ejisu Member of Parliament died Thursday at age 45 at the Suhum Government Hospital in the Eastern Region.

In a social media post to mourn him, President Akufo-Addo who indicated he has known the minister for a very long time, said his “unwavering dedication to service, his tireless commitment to the betterment of our nation, and his profound passion for uplifting the lives of the people of Ejisu and Ghana were evident to all who had the privilege of knowing him.”

He also said he is “deeply saddened by the tragic news” of his passing.

Before becoming a deputy finance minister, Dr. Kumah served as the first Chief Executive Officer for the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (NEIP).

Read his Facebook post below:

“I knew him very well both in my days as Leader of the Opposition and as President of the Republic, and his warmth, humility, and genuine concern for others endeared him to me and to all who crossed his path. His unwavering dedication to service, his tireless commitment to the betterment of our nation, and his profound passion for uplifting the lives of the people of Ejisu and Ghana were evident to all who had the privilege of knowing him. He was a stalwart of the New Patriotic Party in the Ejisu constituency, which he served with great enthusiasm and devotion as a Member of Parliament.

“He was the first Chief Executive Officer of the new entity I set up in my first term, the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (NEIP). He distinguished himself in that office, and, therefore, merited his promotion to the office of Deputy Minister for Finance, where he brought not only expertise and skill, but also a deep sense of compassion and empathy to his role. His efforts were instrumental in advancing Government’s economic agenda, and ensuring that the fruits of our progress were equitably shared amongst all segments of society. He was a Ghanaian patriot par excellence.

Dr John Kumah left behind a wife and six children.