The ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) today marked the one year passing of their late former National Chairman, Jake Obetsebi- Lamptey with a remembrance service at the Accra Ridge Church.
The programme brought together bigwigs of the elephant family from across the country in a solemn service in honour of the man who died in London last year.
After the service acting National Chairman of the NPP Freddie Blay said Jake left a huge gap in the party and they will do their best to honour him by dedicating themselves to serve the party and the nation.
Mr Lamptey, born on February 4, 1946, was an astute advertiser with a rich political history. His father, Obetsebi Lamptey, was a member of the big six who delivered Ghana from the shackles and evil claws of colonialism.
Taking after his father, Jake Obetsebi Lamptey, 70, was a founding member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and was credited for bringing the party to power in 2000 when he acted as campaign manager to then-candidate John Agyekum Kufuor.
He then occupied diverse positions in government including Chief of Staff, Tourism Minister.
In 2008 Mr Lamptey was one of 17 aspirants who contested for the position of the flag bearer of the NPP but lost to Nana Akufo-Addo who has since remained the flag bearer after two failed attempts at becoming the president.
The fair coloured, huge, smooth talking personality then vied for the position of the party Chairman and won in 2010.
Attempts by Mr Lamptey to return the NPP to power in 2012 failed and was voted out as Chairman in a Congress held in Tamale in 2014.
He then decided to take a long break out of politics but once in a while commented on issues of national importance.
“He is irreplaceable yes!..but the job must go on. We are hoping that whoever steps in his shoes like me as an Acting Chair, I will aspire to a greater height,” Mr Blay said.
He said the party is building on what he left behind and benefit from what he has done.
The former deputy speaker of parliament added “we think we will continue to appreciate his memory. We thank his family and his relations for bringing him up.”
“He lived a fully, he loved life and the NPP and worked with passion. A combination of his character while working for the party would take the party very far,” he noted.
