The late Philip Basoah
The Member of Parliament (MP) for Kumawu Constituency in the Ashanti Region, Philip Basoah has died aged 54 after a short illness.
He reportedly died at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital where he had been listed in “serious condition.”
Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin corroborated the death of the MP when sitting of the House resumed yesterday morning saying, “This morning, I have been informed that our colleague couldn’t make it. He has transited to the other world.”
He added, “Hon. Members, I am referring to no less a person than the late Philip Basoah, the Honourable Member of Parliament for Kumawu.”
He stated that the MP was taken ill last Friday morning in Parliament after he collapsed and was rushed to the hospital.
After being called to order by the Speaker, the House observed a moment of silence in his honour, and consequently urged MPs not to stress themselves in trying to represent the people.
“I don’t need to emphasise the need for us to do continuous medical check and I don’t need to remind us that the rule is that you should not sit in one place for more than two hours; myself inclusive,” the Speaker noted.
He continued, “So please, when I am suspending the House, you should understand. The Speaker should not be in the chair continuously. It is unhealthy.”
“He came to the House and he was strong. At least, he was ready to come and vote, whilst we were harbouring he just collapsed, and here we are now.
“You know, immediately you are no more, the people start thinking about replacing you. I made it clear at Fomena when we went for the funeral of one of our former colleagues. I met the constituents wearing the t-shirts of the aspirants, and not the late Member of Parliament,” he recounted.
“I recall saying there that if something ever happened to me, which could not happen, and you did that and came to my funeral, I would take you away,” he jokingly said.
NPP Mourns
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) is worried over the death of the late MP.
To that effect, the NPP has directed that all party flags at its offices across the country fly at half-mast for the next seven days.
The party said, “He was a gentle and astute politician whose contributions to the Party, constituents, and the development of Ghana through his work in Parliament cannot be overemphasised. As a Party, we take solace from his legacy of hard work and dedication to our country,” the statement said.
“While commiserating with the Parliament of Ghana, the NPP also extends its deepest condolences to the bereaved family, particularly his wife, and children, and the good people of Kumawu, for such a great loss.”
Mr. Basoah was the Chairman for the Parliamentary Committee on Employment, Social Welfare and State Enterprises, and a member of the Lands and Forestry Committee as well as the Selection Committee.
The lawmaker entered Parliament in 2013 on the ticket of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), replacing Mr. Yaw Baah, after serving as the District Chief Executive (DCE) for the area under the erstwhile John Agyekum Kufuor.
He won the seat with 18,858 votes during the 2012 general election, beating his close rival, Asiamah Samuel, who contested on the ticket of the NDC.
He retained the seat in the 2016 general election with 21,794 votes, representing 78.17 percent, beating Emmanuel William Amoako of the NDC, who bagged 5,899 votes (representing 21.16 percent).
Mr. Basoah won the seat again in the 2020 general election, receiving 14,960 votes to the NDC candidate, Bernard Opoku Marfo’s 2,439 votes.
Prior to becoming DCE, MP Basoah was the Ashanti Regional project coordinator for Ghana Education Service and a tutor at the Agogo State College in Asante-Akyem Agogo.
By Ernest Kofi Adu, Parliament House