Members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Ashanti region, have expressed their shock, following the passing of the Member of Parliament for the Kumawu Constituency, Philip Basoah.
According to the party members, information gathered from the lawmaker’s family shows that he died on Monday, March 27, after a short illness. He was one of three majority MPs who were absent from Parliament on Friday, during the debate and subsequent voting of some new Ministers.
Speaking to journalists, the immediate past Ashanti regional communications director, Kwasi Kyei, described the death of the sitting MP as a big blow to the party because of his contribution to the NPP over the years.
“It’s a very sad day for the NPP. I got to hear about it yesterday evening. Basically, you have to hear from the family first, before you can speak about it. He was a very affable person. We have been together for a very long time, as a director of communications for 8 years. We did a lot of things together in his constituency. We will forever remember him; he was always there for the party. He has done a lot for the party since he became an MP and we have to appreciate that.”
“It’s a big blow to the party, we were expecting that God will give him the strength to continue the good works he was doing. His death came as a surprise to all of us. I extend my condolences to the wife, children and entire family. We will be there to support the family during the funeral celebration.”
Kwasi Kyei
Mr. Basoah, born in 1969, died last night, but details of his passing are immediately not yet clear. However, the news has been widely reported by various media outlets.
He first came to Parliament in 2017, after winning the 2016 general elections in the Kumawu constituency. Prior to sailing to Parliament, Mr. Basoah was a Chief Executive for the Sekyere East District, from June 2005 to January 2009 and was also a tutor at the Agogo State College.
In the 2016 Ghana general elections, he won the parliamentary seat with 21,794 votes, making 78.2% of the total votes cast on the ticket of the New Patriotic Party (NPP). In the 2020 Ghana general elections, he won the parliamentary seat with 14,960 votes making 51.1% of the total votes cast.
His death is not only a loss to his family but also to the people of Kumawu Constituency and the nation at large. Basoah contributed to the development of his constituency, and his passing will undoubtedly leave a vacuum that will be hard to fill.
Dafeamekpor Mourns Basoah’s Death
The Member of Parliament for South Dayi, Rockson Nelson Dafeamekpor, mourned the passing of colleague MP for Kumawu, Philip Basoah.
In a tweet, Mr. Dafeamekpor expressed shock at the passing of the legislator, claiming he was very active in parliament the previous week.
“This is so tragic. Hon. Basoah, you were so active just last week in Parliament. Very calm & focused yet very active, especially on the Public Accounts Committee where you & I serve. Fare thee well, my brother. My deepest condolences to your family & Constituents… You served well.”
Rockson Nelson Dafeamekpor