Parliament holds funeral service for Pepera

By Ken Sackey/Benjamin Mensah
Accra, July 23, GNA - The late Peter Wiafe Pepera, immediate past Member of Parliament for Abetifi Constituency, who died last May was on Friday praised for being 'humble, friendly, and respectful and a toast of everyone.'

'We will forever miss him, but we are consoled by the belief that his Maker loves him most and will surely grant him a deserving rest,' Mr Joe Ghartey, Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament eulogized the 62-year old politician and business man who passed away, reportedly of heart attack at a health institution in Accra.

In a tribute at the funeral of his departed colleague, held at the Forecourts of the State House, Mr Ghartey on behalf of Parliament recalled the infectious perpetual smile, coupled with the witty stories which characterized his suggestions, questions and brilliant contributions to topical issues at various fora.

'His exchanges with colleagues and staff both within and outside Parliament were devoid of controversy. His calm disposition, gentle and humble nature, made it extremely difficult for anyone from either side of the House to say anything bad about him.'

The leadership of the House made up of the Speaker Edward Adjaho, the two deputy Speakers- Ebo Barton-Odro and Joe Ghartey- Majority Leader Alban Babgin and Minority Leader Osei Kyei-Mensa-Bonsu and scores of members and staff of the House, as well as the general public were at the funeral.

Stalwarts of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), including former President John Agyekum Kufuor, former senior Minister, J.H. Mensah, Mr Alan Kyeremanteng and other politicians from the divide, including Mr Martin Amidu, former deputy Attorney-General and one time vice presidential candidate, were at the funeral grounds to bid farewell to Mr Pepera, who was noted to have crisscrossed the two main political parties during his life time.

The late Pepera, who always sported his trademark 'Beats by Dr Dre' earphone, was once a deputy Minister under the administration of former President Jerry Rawlings, joining the NPP in 2001 and became a Member of Parliament in 2009 on the ticket of the opposition NPP, retaining the Abetifi seat for the NPP in 2012.

There was a sea of black, indicating the deep sense of loss and mourning, as people from all walks of life paid their last respect to the late politician who was born in Stuttgart, Germany on May 9, 1954.

At the funeral, which was State-assisted, the Christ the King Parish Choir and the Christ the King Marian Choir sang hymns and rendered melodies, including the Ave Maria chorus, in the memory of their beloved.

There were readings from the Book of Wisdom.
The late Pepera, who left behind a wife and nine children, would be buried on Saturday, July 23, 2016 at Abetifi in the Eastern Region.

Until his death, legislator was the Ranking Member on the Trade and Industry Committee in Parliament, as well as a member of the Committee of Privileges.

He was an industrialist consultant by profession, and the Managing Director of Paramount Distilleries.

GNA