Tears Flow For Abetifi MP

A state-assisted funeral service was held yesterday for the late New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament (MP) for Abetifi in the Eastern Region, Peter Wiafe Pepera at the forecourt of the State House, with political gurus from the NPP and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in attendance.

Grief-stricken family members, particularly his wife Jemima and first child and daughter, Doreen Pepera-Anson wept uncontrollably.

Present were former President John Agyekum Kufuor, former senior minister and minority leader, JH Mensah, whose presence at the funeral drew a lot of attention because he still looked healthy and cheerful in his late 80s.

Acting Chairman of the NPP, Freddie Blay, led the party's delegation, with former Attorney-General, Martin Amidu, fondly called Citizen Vigilante, also showing up.

Many MPs, including the Speaker, Edward Doe Adjaho; the majority leader, Alban Bagbin and the minority leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, were all there to pay their last respects to their former colleague, who died in May following a heart attack. He was 62 years old.

Leading the tribute for their departed colleague, the second deputy speaker, Joe Ghartey said the late MP was a diligent person who put his rich experience and expertise to the total work of parliament as an academic and businessman.

“Even though as a legislator he preferred operating from behind the scenes to get things done, he was equally very active both at the plenary sessions and in committee,” the second deputy speaker said, stressing that the late MP’s participation in the work of parliament was thorough.

“While holding the principle of effective oversight as a key ingredient of accountable governance, the late Hon Wiafe Pepera believed that state institutions must be adequately resourced for effective delivery of their mandate,” he declared.

The late MP was the deputy raking member on the Committee of Trade, Industry and Tourism, as well as a member of the Privileges Committee of Parliament.

Before joining the NPP in 2001, he served as deputy minister of Trade and Industry in the NDC government under former President J.J. Rawlings.

He was elected as MP for Abetifi in 2009 on the ticket of the NPP after crossing carpet to the party.

He was re-elected in 2012 to represent the constituents in the august House until he died in May, this year.

The late MP, who has been succeeded by Bryan Acheampong, would be buried in his hometown, Abetifi today after the final funeral rites.

He left behind nine children and a wife.
By Thomas Fosu Jnr