GONE! Dr. Kwabena Adjei
A former National Chairman of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Dr. Kwabena Adjei, yesterday passed away at the age of 76 at the Greater Accra Regional Hospital (Ridge).
Dr. Adjei, popularly called ‘Wayo Wayo’ was said to have battled with a protracted illness as far back as 2015.
Born on March 9, 1943, Dr Adjei supervised the NDC’s electoral victory in 2008 over then incumbent New Patriotic Party (NPP) which saw the election of late Professor Evans Atta Mills as President.
He served as NDC Chairman for two consecutive terms.
His first was in 2005 when he won the NDC congress held in Koforidua to succeed Dr. Obed Yao Asamoah.
He was re-elected in 2009 but was unseated in December 2014 by Kofi Portuphy when he tried to seek a third term in office.
Dr. Kwabena Adjei is remembered for his infamous comment “there are many ways of killing a cat” in August 2010 in reference to the numerous cases the NDC government was losing to its political opponents in court under President Mills.
The comment was widely condemned by many in the country because some people believed it promoted violence and hatred towards the Judiciary.
Political Career
Dr. Adjei occupied a couple of political positions from 1978 to 2014 when he took a back seat in politics.
He had been a key member since the founding of the NDC in 1992.
He was Member of Parliament (MP) for Biakoye Constituency then in the Volta Region and now Oti Region between 1993 and 2004.
He also served as First Deputy Majority Chief Whip in Parliament under the 4th Republic from 1993 to 1994.
Dr. Adjei was also Majority Leader of Parliament from 1998 to 2000.
Again, he served as Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Chairman of Business Committee, Member of Select Committee of Parliament under the 4th Republic of Ghana.
Tributes
There were tributes from the rank and file of the NDC as well as prominent Ghanaians following news of the passing of the late Dr. Adjei.
President Akufo-Addo was one of the first people to pay tribute to him on social media platform Twitter, describing him as a ‘friend.’
“Sad to hear of the passing of Dr. Kwabena Adjei. He was a friend, whom I met in the 2nd parliament of the 4th Republic. He will be missed. My condolences to his party, the National Democratic Congress and to his family. May his soul rest in perfect peace,” the President twitted.
Former President John Mahama also took to social media to highlight the achievements of the late Dr. Adjei and also sympathize with his family.
“Dr Kwabena Adjei’s demise has left huge void in the NDC and left Ghana poorer for it. He has through his contributions left an indelible mark on the democratic development of the NDC as a party and our dear nation,” he said.
The former President, in a Facebook post, said “I fondly remember Dr. Adjei for his firm and effective leadership of the Majority Caucus in Parliament of which I was a member between 1996 and 2000. His impassioned contributions to parliamentary debates and unflinching commitment have been a reference point for contemporary politicking.”
“During my visit to him last Sunday at the Ridge Hospital, the doctors described his condition as stable. He was in good cheer and was positive he will join us in the political trenches soon. I join my wife, Lordina to extend our heartfelt condolences and sympathies to his family and the entire NDC.”
Former President Jerry John Rawlings also used the same media to express his condolences to the bereaved family.
He described the late Dr. Adjei as a “strong-spirited personality who will be missed.”
Meanwhile, the NDC has declared three days of national mourning in his honour and suspended all activities following the demise of its former national chairman.
By Gibril Abdul Razak