BOOK OF CONDOLENCE FOR THE LATE MR. KWADWO BAAH-WIREDU

UNIVERSITY OF GHANA BUSINESS SCHOOL A TRIBUTE TO HON. KW ADWO BAAH-WIREDU, MP

The University of Ghana Business School received news of the sudden and unexpected death of Hon. Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu, Minister of Finance and Economic Planning and Member of Parliament for Asante Akyem North on Wednesday, September 24, 2008, with shock and disbelief.

Several questions immediately began to arise: Why did he die so early and at the height of his illustrious career? Had he been ill? Answers are hard to find. The basic truth, however, is that, death exists, and that is how all living things go.

Hon. Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu had had a long association with the University of Ghana Business School (formerly School of Administration), dating as far back as October 1974 when he first gained admission to the School to read for the Bachelor of Science (Administration) degree. He successfully graduated in 1977, with an Honours degree, majoring in Accounting.

Since graduating in 1977, Hon. Baah-Wiredu had kept in close touch with the School, participating several times in the School's Management Day programmes which are held annually. His last major activity in the School was in 2006 when he accepted an invitation as a Special Guest of Honour to the inauguration of the new name of the School, namely, University of Ghana Business School. What touched the hearts of many in the School on that occasion was that he had arrived from a meeting in Washington DC on the morning of the Inauguration Day, but instead of reporting first at home or the office, he opted to drive straight from the Airport to the School, because he seemed to be behind time, to participate in the event. He stayed on throughout the length of the programme.

In all things, the University of Ghana Business held on to Hon. Kwadwo Baah¬-Wiredu as one of its most valued and illustrious alumni, and one of whom the School was very proud. Whenever the occasion presented itself, he never missed the opportunity to re-connect, and to uphold the name of the School in the highest esteem.

Indeed, to the University of Ghana Business School, to the entire University and to the nation at large, we have lost a friend and a gem of indeterminate value.

On the personal side, Hon. Baah-Wiredu was very out-going, affable and pleasant to a fault. He was a superb gentleman and a friend of all. He tackled his assignments with vigour and great enthusiasm. He listened patiently and was never in a hurry to dismiss issues raised. He was most responsive to requests and queries, however trivial they might seem. He was a Minister of State, Member of Cabinet and Member of Parliament, but he was never boastful of his high-profile public standing.

This is the man whom the University of Ghana Business School bids farewell. We do so with deep humility, affection and respect. We pray to God to endow him with the crown of righteousness which he so richly deserves, because he lived a most noble, honest and exemplary life which is worth emulating by all men and women who are called to public service.

Our thoughts are with his wife, Margaret and children; his mother and the entire family, near and distant. We urge them to hold themselves together in this moment of grief and sorrow and to look up to God, since all things work together for good to them that love God, to them that are called according to His purpose.

Our sympathies also go to His Excellency The President, the Cabinet, Parliament and the Government of the Republic of Ghana for this irreparable loss.

May God bless his soul and grant him Eternal Rest.

From: Ag. Dean, Faculty, Staff and Students of the University of Ghana Business School, Legon