Veep joins mourners to bid farwell to late IGP J.Y Kwofie

The Vice President, Dr Alhaji Ma­hamadu Bawumia, yesterday joined hundreds of mourners at the forecourt of the State House in Accra to bid farewell to the late former Inspector General of Police (IGP) James Yalley Kwofie.

Mr Kwofie who was the 12th IGP served from January 1,1990 to September 30,1996 and died at the age of 84.

Vice President Alhaji Bawumia paying his last respects to the late IGP Kwofie

Photo: Godwin Ofosu-Acheapong

Mourners adorned in black including family took turns to file past the body in the casket which was later closed at 9am.

The solemn funeral service was attended by personalities including the Minister for the Interior, Mr Henry Quartey; National Security Minister, Mr Albert Kan Dapaah; the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr George Akuffo Dampare, members of the Police Management Board, heads of security agencies, Regional Commanders and retired IGPs.

In a glowing tribute by the Ghana Police Service (GPS), which was read by the Direc­tor-General of Human Resource Department of the GPS, Commissioner of Police (COP) Daniel Afriyie said the late IGP’s dedication and commitment to duty was exceptional.

“There was no doubt that the image of the Service was lifted high during his tenure as IGP,” he added.

According to the GPS, his passion towards police duties and dedication to welfare issues of personnel was awesome.

His wife, Mrs Elizabeth Kwofie, described her husband as more than just a spouse,”he was my soulmate,my confidante and my for­vever companion”.

In a tribute by his children, they said their father demonstrated unrelenting dedication to his family.

According to them, the late IGP worked tirelessly across the country and beyond and provided for them, always putting their needs before his own.

In a sermon, the Chaplain- General of the GPS, Deputy Commissioner of Police(D­COP) Reverend Father George Arthur, urged the public to serve humanity when given the mandate with love and accountability.

He said human life was time bound and urged the public to seek for salvation.

Rev Fr Arthur said life was a cycle and called on people in authority to be careful how they treat people, stating that life was a cycle.

The late longest serving IGP was appoint­ed Ghana’s High Commissioner to Nigeria in 1998 by the former late President Jerry John Rawlings.

He was appointed the Commissioner of the then Customs, Excise and Preventive Service (CEPS),now the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority(GRA).

As part of the occasion the Vice President donated GH¢50,000 to the widow, children and family.

 BY ANITA NYARKO-YIRENKYI