Flagstaff House mourns P.V. Obeng

A memorial service was held for Mr P.V. Obeng, a Senior Presidential Adviser, at the Flagstaff House Monday .

The solemn service was attended by the President, Mr John Dramani Mahama; the Chief of Staff, Mr Prosper Bani; presidential staffers and other workers at the Presidency.

The seat of government was in a state of mourning as virtually everyone was in black in memory of Mr Obeng in Accra last Saturday.

President Mahama, who appointed the astute politician and statesman as his senior adviser, appeared heavily hit. 

Obeng had his office at the Flagstaff House.

Sermon

The Parish Priest of the Christ the King Catholic Church at Cantonments, the Very Rev Fr Andrew Campbell, said Mr Obeng was a gift from God to Ghana.

Preaching the sermon  the Very Rev Fr Campbell said Mr Obeng's astonishing depth of knowledge on everything and his passion for the advancement of the nation were enough for Ghanaians to thank God for such a gift to the nation.

He quoted extensively from the Scriptures to support the fact that it was good for the living to lead lives worthy of emulation.

He advised people not to take their lives for granted because "we will all go one day and would have to account to God what we did on earth".

Lesson

He said Mr Obeng’s death should be a lesson for the living to lead good lives because life was short and no one knew when God was going to call him or her.

Mr Obeng, he said, served his country with distinction.

Prayers were said for God to grant his soul  eternal rest.

Some of his colleagues paid tribute to him for the indelible imprints he left behind.

They described him as a man of abundant wisdom and a fine gentleman whose demise had created a big void within the seat of government.

Dr Apaak

Speaking to the Daily Graphic at the Flagstaff House Monday, a presidential staffer, Dr Clement Apaak, said Mr Obeng was someone who cut across all generations.

He said in spite of his seniority at the Presidency and the vast experience obtained in public life over the years, Mr Obeng always gave respect to everyone.

"This is what all of us alive must emulate," he said.

He also said Mr Obeng had a reasonable depth of knowledge on every issue, something that made him stand high in his public life.

Dr Apaak said it would take some time for him to get over the painful death.

Baffoe-Bonnie

Another presidential staffer, Mr Kofi Seinti Baffoe-Bonnie, said Mr Obeng was an inspiration to him.

The Communications Director and Presidential Spokesman, Mr Ben Dotsei Malor, also said he found Obeng a statesman of distinction.

He said his late senior colleague was so much committed to Ghana, adding, "He wanted the best for the country."

Some workers at the Flagstaff House who also spoke to the Daily Graphic said they had lost a father and motivator.

They prayed that God would receive him in Heaven.