Members of Ghana’s parliament have eulogized former Secretary of Health, Mary Grant who died last month after a short illness.
The legislators on the floor of the house on Thursday said Dr Grant served the country selflessly and dedicated her life to the promotion of the course of women and children in the country.
Haruna Idrissu, the Minister of Employment and Labour Relations, who delivered a statement on the floor of the house said the late Dr Mrs Mary Grant’s influence and legacy went beyond the health sector and social protection.
She said as a member of erstwhile Provisional National Defense Council (PNDC) who served as the Deputy Secretary of Health, and later became the Minister of Education and Culture, she fought for the adoption of various social protection programs for the country to protect vulnerable women and children.
Haruna Idrussu said, “our new generation of health professionals will be infected by her dedication and will to be more than ready for the future. For those of us in politics, her professionalism backed by a strong conviction and wit will remain the major lessons for us and for many Ghanaian girl-child, she will forever remain an inspiration.”
She expressed hope that the youth of the country will be inspired by her “dedication, resourcefulness and farsightedness.”
Benjamin Kumbour the Minister of Defense recounted the many times he encountered the late stateswoman and received encouragement as well as guidance from her to when he served as a health ministers years ago.
Sarah Adjoa Sarfo, the Member of Parliament for Dome-Kwabenya said the principles and virtues exhibited by the late Mary Grant must resonate with Ghanaians and upheld.
“I believe that as a country it should just end with a tribute in parliament, a state burial and the ceremonial aspect of it but this great woman who has contributed her part to the development to the country should remain in our minds as far as her principles were concerned and we shouldn’t just build statues and memorials and speeches but whatever she stood for in politics, we must keep it in mind and uphold it,” she said.
Other parliamentarians including Joseph Yileh Chireh, Raship Pelpuo and Richard Anane called on Ghanaians to emulate the dedication and selflessness demonstrated by the late stateswoman in her service to the country.
The Speaker of Parliament, Edward Doe Adjaho led at he house to observe a minute’s silence to her memory.
‘Dr. Mary Grant passes on at 88’
Dr. Mrs. Mary Grant, passed away at age of 88 on 18th September, 2016. Family sources said she died at the 37 Military Hospital.
She left behind two of her own children, and four adopted ones.
President John Dramani tweeted about her death, describing her as a “great woman of our modern era,” hours after news about her death broke.
Dr. Mrs. Mary Grant was awarded at the Ghana Women Awards, the premier awards ceremony aimed at celebrating the success of women of excellence in various facets of the society.
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By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana