Prof Frimpong-Boateng cited actions and inactions of Sir John during his tenure as FC boss to buttress his point in a confidential report submitted to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in 2019.

Among others, he stated that Sir John was giving out timber concessions in forest reserves and was also actively engaged in mining using Chinese gangs.

He also picked out the refusal of FC to join an anti-galamsey taskforce’s GalamStop platform – which the government created to coordinate the fight against the menace which was polluting water bodies and ravaging Ghana’s forest cover.

“I was not surprised that the Forestry Commission did not migrate onto the GalamStop platform. Mr. Kwadwo Owusus Afriyie (aka Sir John) was actively giving out timber concessions, even in forest reserves for logging.

“Through Charles Owusu, the Director of Operations at the Forestry Commission, Sir John had Chinese gangs doing mining on his behalf. The issue about rose wood is something that is beyond the scope of this report.

“I remember that at a meeting in the conference room of the President, I told the president in the presence of Sir John that the greatest danger to the forests of Ghana was Sir John,” page 10 of the report stated.

Prof Frimpong-Boateng’s 36-page report titled: ‘Report On The IMCIM And The Way Forward, detailed the complicity of top government officials, some at the presidency, Member of Parliaments on both sides of the divide as well as top party officials who have been engaged in the illegal small-scale mining (galamsey) business.”

Sir John, a former General Secretary of the governing New Patriotic Party, died on July 1, 2023 in Accra of COVID-19 complications.

In the aftermath of his death, portions of his Will generated chatter leading to probe by anti-corruption outlet, Office of the Special Prosecutor.

Charles Owusu was ordained by Reverend Isaac Owusu Bempah, the Founder and Leader of the Glorious Word Power Ministries International.

The politician and social activist and two other pastors were ordained with him for their exemplary leadership qualities.

Anointing them with oil, Reverend Owusu Bempah empowered them with the word of God and hoped that their ministries would be blessed with fruit of souls.

Mr Owusu, now Pastor Charles Owusu, was until his elevation to priesthood a staff of Ghana Forestry Commission.

A renowned political activist and commentator, Mr Owusu previously served in executive positions in Dr Papa Kwesi Nduom’s Progressive People’s Party.

With a wide background in political activism, Mr Owusu’s emergence into the field of religious work promises to set him off on a new career.

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The will in circulation names some family members of the late Sir John as beneficiaries of acres of land at the Achimota forest and the Ramsar site.

In an interview with JoyNews, the Lands and Natural Resources Minister, Samuel Abu Jinapor explained that the latest move aims to formally annul any land acquired illegally by the late Sir John.

“It is absolutely effective, whatever transactions that were supposed to have taken place, these properties named as part of Sir John’s estate cannot stand.

“And I have written letters to the Lands Commission, so that matter is completely dealt with, those properties will revert to the state,” he emphasised.

A section of Ghanaians have been accusing some government officials of attempting to illegally acquire lands at the Achimota Forest Reserve.

The outcry was a result of President Akufo-Addo signing an Executive Instrument to declassify the Achimota Forest.

The Instrument gazetted on behalf of President Akufo-Addo by the Lands Minister, Samuel Abdulai Jinapor, stipulated that effective May 1, 2022, the land on which the Forest is located shall cease to be a forest reserve, pursuant to Section 19 of the Forest Act, 1927 (CAP. 157).

But even before the dust settled, another jaw-dropping discovery was unearthed in the will of the late Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie.

In the 12-page document, it emerged that the politician owned some parcels of land in the Forest Reserve which he has passed on to inheritors forever.

Meanwhile, the Executive Secretary of the Lands Commission, James Dadson has said there is no record of Sir John at the commission owning portions of the Achimota Forest Reserve.

“There is nothing in our records concerning that. What you read is what I have read. We don’t have anything recorded here for Sir John as far as our records are concerned,” James Dadson told journalists in Accra on Monday May 23.

Popularly called Sir John, Mr. Afriyie was a former general secretary of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP). He died of Covid-19-related complications on July 1, 2020, while still in office as the head of the Forestry Commission.

The massive wealth he bequeathed to his family and loved ones has shocked many Ghanaians since The Fourth Estate exclusively revealed the contents of his will.

Of particular interest have been the large parcels of land he owned at the Achimota Forest and the Ramsar site, a protected area he had warned people against acquiring land while he was in office.

Some have also questioned when he acquired the properties.

Information The Fourth Estate has requested and received from the Audit Service reveals that Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie did not declare his assets before taking office and did not declare them throughout his tenure as the CEO of the Forestry Commission.

Per the laws regulating asset declaration in Ghana—Article 286 of the 1992 Constitution and Public Office Holders (Declaration of Assets and Disqualification) Act—Mr Afriyie should have declared assets relating to the following:

(a) lands, houses and buildings;
(b) farms;
(c) concessions;
(d) trust or family property in respect of which the officer has beneficial interest;
(e) vehicles, plant and machinery, fishing boats, trawlers, generating plants;
(f) business interests;
(g) securities and bank balances;
(h) bonds and treasury bills;
(i) jewellery of the value of ¢5 million [now ¢500] or above; objects of art of the value of ¢5 million or above;
(j) life and other insurance policies;
(k) such other properties as are specified on the declaration form.

Sir John had a long list of properties including 13 houses at various locations in Accra and Kumasi and his hometown, Sakora Wonoo, in the Ashanti Region. These houses are:

1. House on plot number GA54480 located in Ogbojo, East Legon, and dated February 12, 2018
2. House on plot number GA 55329 located at Oyarifa No. 2, dated May 11, 2018
3. House on plot number GA 55475 located at Oyarifa No.1, dated September 27, 2017
4. House on plot number GA 5881 located at Adjiringanor, Accra, (white House), dated August 7, 2019.
5. A 6-bedroom house located at Patangbe, Ogbojo, near East Legon.
6. A  4-bedroom house located in Mempeheusem, East Legon
7. A 3-bedroom house on plot number TDA 4140 located in Mempehuesem, East Legon
8. Another 3-bedroom house on plot number TDA 4140 located in Mempehuesem, East Legon
9. A 4-bedroom house on plot number GA56838 located in East Legon and dated October 25, 2018
10. A 5-bedroom house located in Sakora Wonoo
11. A 4-storey building located in East Legon, with 10 apartments, each apartment consisting of 3-bedrooms; and five apartments, each consisting of two bedrooms
12. A house at East Legon Hills
13. A house in Kumasi, Ashanti region

Assets Sir John Acquired while in office

Sir John was appointed the CEO of the Forestry Commission in March 2017

His will does not state when most of the landed properties, money in bank accounts and investments were acquired or the businesses he owned were set up.

However, he named dates along with the registration details of five of the houses in his will. Incidentally, all five dates were while he was the CEO of the Forestry Commission.

When he was just six months in office, his house acquired at Oyarifa No. 1 is dated September 27, 2017 with the registration.

A second house at Ogbojo in Accra is dated February 12, 2018, along with the details in the will.

A third house in Sir John’s collection is dated May 11, 2018, in the will, and a fourth on October 25, 2018.

By his 30th month in office, Sir John, a lawyer NPP’s general secretary from 2010 to 2014, had five houses registered in his name. The fifth one came on August 7, 2019.

Eight other houses contained in his will do not have the dates of acquisition.

His listed wealth also included 12 parcels of land.

Sir John’s will also contains 15 foreign and local bank and investment accounts (both individual and corporate ) with one of the local banks having GH₵ 2 million.

His list of businesses includes a fuel station located at Kentinkrono in the Ashanti Region; 10 fuel tankers (worth about $780,000, according to The Fourth Estate’s checks); one teak plantation located at Nkawie in the Ashanti Region; a rubber plantation located in the Eastern Region; three stalls located at the new Kejetia market in Kumasi, also in the Ashanti Region and Farms at Ejura in the Ashanti Region.

That is not all.

He owned a fleet of 15 private vehicles, including a Lexus LX570, Lexus V6, Mercedes Benz E68 Sport AMG, Honda Pilot V6, Honda Accord Sport, Toyota Landcruiser V8, Ford 150 and Lexus Saloon Car, 2019 model.

The Fourth Estate verifies if Sir John declared his assets

The Fourth Estate has, through a right to information request to the Audit Service, found that Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie, who led the country’s forestry sector regulator for almost four years failed to file his assets and liabilities as required by law.

This is clearly in violation of Article 286(1) of the 1992 Constitution, which required that public office holders declare their assets they hold directly or indirectly before taking office, at the end of every four years; and at the end of their term of office.

The law requires that the President, Vice-President, the Speaker, Deputy Speakers of Parliament, ministers and deputy ministers of state, ambassadors, the Chief Justice and managers of public institutions in which the state has interest to submit to the Auditor-General written declarations of all property or assets owned by, or liabilities owed by them, whether directly or indirectly.

Sir John did not.

Asset declaration just a formality?

Critics of Ghana’s asset declaration laws say it is nothing more than a formality since there is no means to verify what public office holders disclose.

This is because laws forbid public disclosure of the assets declared by the public officers concerned unless demanded as evidence by a court of competent jurisdiction, a commission of inquiry appointed under Article 278 or before an investigator appointed by the Commissioner for Human Rights and Administrative Justice.

But anti-graft crusaders including, Vitus Azeem, a former executive director of the Ghana Integrity Initiative, had described the law as opaque with parliament lacking the will to amend it because it wouldn’t favour public office holders.

“It does not make the law an effective tool to fight corruption,” he said, and points to the possibilities of dodging as the ideal situation should be that the Auditor-General could open the envelope and verify if the assets mentioned did exist or “if it was just a blank sheet that has been put into an envelope”.

The case against asset verification 
There have been a lot of cases made against the verification of assets declared. Civil Society Organisations, including the Centre for Democratic Development (CDD) noted some of these arguments against asset declarations in their research and publications. One argument against closing the assets declared to the public is the socio-cultural setting.

Some argue that in the context of Ghana’s extended family system, which relies heavily on  relatives, disclosing public office holders’ assets would make them vulnerable to undue pressure from needy relatives.

Another justification has been that publicising the assets of public officials could deter “good” persons from entering public service.

However, CDD-Ghana has shredded these arguments describing them as a red herring.

CDD has noted that politicians and other elites are themselves given to needless displays of ostentation and self-importance, mainly as a way of establishing their “big man” credentials and reputation as “patrons”. It argues that it is disingenuous for these same elites to resist the disclosures of their assets on the grounds that it would give undue publicity to the private wealth of public officeholders.

Controversies in the Sir John era as Forestry Commission CEO

During Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie’s tenure of office, the Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) released a damning report on the illegal trade and felling of rosewood trees had continued despite a ban being in place since 2012.

“Since 2012, over 540,000 tons of rosewood – the equivalent of 23,478 twenty-foot containers or approximately six million trees – were illegally harvested and imported into China from Ghana while bans on harvest and trade have been in place,” the report said.

The investigations found “a massive institutionalised timber trafficking scheme, enabled by high-level corruption and collusion.”

When he addressed a press conference on September 5, 2019, Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie said from 2012 to May 2019, a total of 300,368.94 cubic metres of rosewood equivalent to 257,230 trees had been exported and not six million trees as alleged by the EIA.

As an antidote to the illegal rosewood trade, he said the commission had decided to among other things, burn all seized rosewood in order to deter people from engaging in cutting down the tree since all other measures had failed.

It didn’t happen.

At the heat of the crackdown on illegal mining (galamsey) in 2018, some residents of Koboro in the Amansie Central District in the Ashanti Region, a notorious illegal mining hub, labelled Sir John as an illegal miner.

In his defence, he explained that he had contracted a company to undertake a reclamation exercise and not an illegal mining activity in the Apamprama Forest located in the area.

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This according to the Ministry follows checks at the Lands Commission as part of investigations of the deceased’s Will which bequeathed portions of these lands to his relatives.

In view of this, the government has decided to take over the lands purportedly acquired by Sir John in the  Achimota Forest and the Sakumono Ramsar Site.

These were contained in a statement signed by the Land and Natural Resources Minister, Samuel Abu Jinapor.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the bequeathing of the aforesaid lands, if established, will not pass any interest/title to the named beneficiaries in the alleged Will.

“These lands, the subject matter of the alleged Will, shall remain Public Lands, whether or not it falls within the de-gazetted lands pursuant to E.I, 144,” parts of the statement read.

The statement added that, the government will act on any improper acquisition of any public lands, regardless of how it was procured, whether now or in the past, and the Achimota Forest lands will not be an exception.

The will of Sir John has come under intense scrutiny in the last 72 hours and has triggered mixed reactions on social media.

The will is a long list of 75 properties including houses, parcels of land, bank accounts, investments, businesses, guns and clothes.

It has raised public concerns following the discovery that he owned lands in the Achimota Forest and Sakumono Ramsar site a few days after President Akufo-Addo signed an executive instrument that said part of the Achimota Forest was no longer a forest reserve.

Below is the Ministry’s full statement:

A former aide to the late Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Forestry Commission, Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie also known as Sir John has said he will never betray him.

Charles Owusu who was reacting to the viral will of his late boss said their love is stronger even in death.

Page 5 of Sir John’s will states that the late CEO of the Forestry Commission together with one Charles Owusu, have already secured parts of the Achimota Forest lands.

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But Mr Owusu on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen programme Monday expressed shock his boss’ will is in the public domain.

He could not fathom why any right thinking person will leak such a sensitive personal document on social media.

“I still can’t fathom why someone will leak a will of a person in public. Sir John, rest in peace. Today it is Sir John; it may be someone else tomorrow. I have nothing to say about his viral will” Charles Owusu bemoaned.

This notwithstanding, Mr. Owusu vowed not to speak ill or betray a man who has been a father figure in his life.

“I will never turn my back on him. He is like my father so I won’t speak ill about him after he is dead. I will never betray him,” he cried.

Mr Owusu, a former Operations Manager at the Commission was named in the last will and testament of Sir John that he jointly owned portions of the Achimota Forest land with the deceased.

Page 5 of Sir John’s will states that, the late CEO of the Forestry Commission together with one Charles Owusu has already secured parts of the Achimota Forest lands.

Sir John is, therefore, giving his 0.987 acres of the Achimota Forest land and he gives his portion to his nephews, Michael Owusu, Yaw Boadu and Kwabena Amoateng, forever.

But speaking on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen show Monday Mr Owusu said he cannot confirm or deny who Charles Owusu is as there are so many people who bear the same name.

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“There are so many people with the same name as mine and I am the only person who was closer to Sir John. We will know the truth after investigations are done. I don’t want to jump the gun and speak about it. I am quiet not because I am afraid but because I am mourning Sir John” he bemoaned.

Asked if he was aware of the will, Charles Owusu said he only got to know about it after the death of his former boss, Sir John.

“The only time I heard about Sir John’s will was when he died; I was even told by the lawyer that I was one of the executors and that was the first time I heard that. If Sir John said in his Will that I should take care of his property, I will gladly do it because I love him so much,” he added.

Mr Owusu, who wondered why the purported will has gone viral on social media said he is not ready to speak on it as he awaits the investigations by the Lands Ministry as the Ministry.

“I will never turn my back against Sir John. The Ministry has said it is investigating the matter and I am waiting for the ministry to come out with their findings because a dead man cannot speak for himself,” he stated.

He is alleged to have willed portions of the Achimota Forest to individuals believed to be his relatives.

A photograph of a particular page of the will, which has been widely circulated on social media, has sparked huge public criticism of Ghanaian politicians. Some people are alleging that the reason for government declassifying part of the Forest as a reserve is to legalise such allocations.

Although the Lands Ministry has launched a probe into the claims, many Twitter users have shared their views on the matter.

Check out the reactions on social media:

My eye just LANDED on late Sir John’s will and it LANDED me into deep thoughts of where the future of our LANDS will LAND us, this his will is a powerful will by a LANDslide impact, God save our motherLAND ? ? pic.twitter.com/Wrd6dRQvCv

— DKB GHANA (@dkbghana) May 22, 2022

You’ve seen only 1 page of Sir John’s will and you are screaming. @fourthestategh (The Fourth Estate) has all the pages. Keep refreshing this page. It will blow your mind.

— Manasseh Azure Awuni (@Manasseh_Azure) May 23, 2022

1. Ministry of Lands will not probe anything in Sir John’s will.
2. They know they have shared all these state lands among themselves.
3. If you have a legitimate means of relocating from Ghana, take it and do not look back. This country is dead.

— ??? ?. ?????? ?? (@NatGTetteh) May 23, 2022

Alleged will of the late former Forestry Commission Chief Executive, Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie, popularly known as Sir John surfaces online. pic.twitter.com/ggls9QbAmn

— SIKAOFFICIAL? (@SIKAOFFICIAL1) May 23, 2022

If you read Sir John’s WILL carefully, you will realize politics is the most lucrative profession in Africa.

An easy way to amass wealth at the expense of the citizenry and not account for it.

In any serious country, Sir John’s WILL should be investigated. It’s so unreal.

— Albert Nat Hyde (@BongoIdeas) May 23, 2022

“I have three stalls at the new Kejetia market…”
–Sir John
Check the first comment

— Manasseh Azure Awuni (@Manasseh_Azure) May 23, 2022

Gabby Otchere-Darko must be laughing at how little Sir John owned ?

— Henry Osei Akoto Fans (@Henryoseiakoto6) May 23, 2022

About to release a document that shows, Npp shared the Achimota forest among themselves before Sir John died. Sir John had it in his will.

— KOJO DYNAMIC ? (@AnnanPerry) May 22, 2022

Sir John mpo nie… by now Ghana is on someone’s Will ???

— OBAMA???? (@1Obama_) May 23, 2022

Sir John was the head of the Forestry Commission in Ghana and he was busily buying lands in Achimota Forest under several companies.
But I can’t even name one achievement he had.
What did we do to deserve this?
This is why they have changed the status..
He is not the only one

— Claramita Asempapa (@genius_clara) May 23, 2022

According to the musician, the leaked documents has sent shivers down his spine.

Taking to Twitter, Stonebwoy wrote: Herrrhh Sir John… Do you get it? he asked rhetorically, adding emojis of laughter.

The will of a former General Secretary of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie is trending on social media.

Until his death, Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie, popularly known as Sir John, was the Chief Executive Officer of the Forestry Commission.

The will, which has been sighted and confirmed by The Fourth Estate, contains four parcels of specified and unspecified acres of land in the Achimota Forest, which the late politician bequeathed to family and friends.

However, the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor has indicated it will investigate the alleged inclusion of Achimota Forest lands in Sir John’s will.

A statement issued on Sunday, May 22, 2022, and published on the Ministry’s Facebook page said it takes “a very serious view of the allegations”.

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This is because his name has popped up in a document, purported to be the will of the late CEO of the Forestry Commission, Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie; popularly, known as ‘Sir John’.

An excerpt of the document, which first came into the public domain on Sunday evening, contained details of how the former Forestry Commission boss, allocated his properties.

As a sequel to that excerpt, the Fourth Estate’s Manasseh Azure Awuni, on Monday morning published the full details of the will, which incensed many social media users to join discussions about the will.

In a series of commentaries on Facebook, Twitter and WhatsApp, scores of Ghanaians wondered about the source of Sir John’s wealth.

Amidst the raging discussions on Sir John’s will, Michael Owusu’s name featured prominently, as he received the lion’s share of the assets of the late NPP stalwart.

They, therefore, queried about his identity and whereabouts, with some asking to meet him for a share of his enviable inheritance.

Sir John also gave parcels of his lands in the Achimota Forest Reserve and other valuable assets to some of his relatives, as well as his biological children.

Here are some of the comments on Michael Owusu, as expressed by some users on Twitter.

Wow.. Just one man? Michael Owusu is blessed. https://t.co/yYKfCAVbef

— Agbo Erasmus Elorm (@ErasmusAgbo) May 23, 2022

Full will of Sir John. Who wouldn’t want to be Michael Owusu ? pic.twitter.com/cBNdSr4I6E

— Mr. Ray ?? (@TheEdemTamekloe) May 23, 2022

Dear Michael Owusu please take a look at my business plan. We can double everything you inherited from Sir John

— Ethel Puplampu (@ethel_puplampu) May 23, 2022

Is the Michael Owusu in Sir John’s will looking for a bestie ??

— Dr King Uchiha Winter ❤️?? (@I_Am_Winter) May 23, 2022

Sir John's nephew Michael Owusu has hit the jackpot.

— Isaac Bediako (@ike_official1) May 23, 2022

Full will of Sir John. Who wouldn’t want to be Michael Owusu ? pic.twitter.com/cBNdSr4I6E

— Mr. Ray ?? (@TheEdemTamekloe) May 23, 2022

Will no leak like Michael Owusu go come tell we say Sir John give am two eggs Wey he turn am into poultry farm

— انقذني (@Tbag__1) May 23, 2022

If that ‘Michael Owusu’ meet your woman

Your relationship go survive??

— Sir Alby (@KwakwaWrites) May 23, 2022

Those were the words of the late chief executive officer (CEO) of the Forestry Commission, Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie, when he visited the Sakumono Ramsar on August 7, 2018.

But almost four years later, it has emerged that the man whose duty it was to protect the Ramsar site from human activity actually got a portion of the land for himself.

Popularly known as Sir John, the self-acclaimed knight of Ghana politics actually got 5.07 acres and willed it to his four sisters: Abena Saah, Comfort Amoateng, Abena Konadu and Juliet Akua Arko, and their children.

That is more than 20 plots of the protected land, which is a buffer zone to protect Tema, Sakumono and their environs against flood, pollution, breeding of fish for the Sakumono Lagoon as well as for recreational activities.

The Ramsar sites are also serve as the relaxation and feeding grounds for over 70 waterbird species. That particular site serves as the breeding ground for about three marine turtle species.

The Ramsar sites are not for human habitation, a reason the Forestry Commission head warned the chiefs and people who traded the land for development projects.

As he went round with a retinue of chiefs, Forestry Commission officials and officials of the Tema Development Company, Sir John asked owners of unauthorised buildings at the Sakumono Ramsar site to rectify their stay on the land as tenants as no chief had the right to sell the protected area to them.

“When I saw the encroachment in Klagon, I thought that was even serious, but what I’ve seen here even makes it worse. Indeed, both the right side and the left side are all parts of the Ramsar site and yet, the massive encroachment we’ve seen beggars disbelieve(sic),” he said.

 He continued, “Those who alleged that they bought it from the chiefs should go back and collect their monies. If they got it for free, fine then there is nothing to worry their head about. But whatever it is, we can’t let them[houses] stand. It will be demolished,” he warned.

The Sakumo Ramsar Site was established alongside four other coastal Ramsar Sites in 1992.

It is the only wetland wholly owned by the government. The other four sites—Keta, Songhor , Muni-Pomadze, Densu Delta– belong to stools.

While insisting that the commission had no intention of demolishing existing properties on the site, he warned that the Commission would not tolerate any new development in the area which had been encroached upon by developers who had filed the wetlands and built structures without permits.

“After 2006, we noticed that the place was being encroached by illegal developers. We did carry out some demolition in the past with the support of the Tema Metropolitan Assembly and TDC,” he said.

Sir John also said the commission had demarcated the area, setting a buffer zone that could not be crossed.

But it appears he crossed that buffer zone before crossing to the other side.

It is not just at the Ramsar site Sir John acquired land, he also acquires lands in the Achimota Forest.

In total, he acquired four parcels of land at the Achimota Forest, the biggest one being 5.541 acres.

These details are contained in the  will he made less than two months before his death.

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Many took to social media and accused the political elite of attempts to sell the lands to themselves and their cronies.

The government has denied the accusations, saying it was only returning part of the land to its rightful owners.

But even as the dust on the Achimota Forest controversy is yet to settle, the will of a former general secretary of the governing New Patriotic Party, Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie, had emerged and contains some parcel of lands at the Achimota Forest.

Until his death, Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie, popularly known as Sir John, was the Chief Executive Officer of the Forestry Commission.

The will, which has been sighted and confirmed by The Fourth Estate, contains four parcels of specified and unspecified acres of land in the Achimota Forest, which the late politician bequeathed to named persons.

On page 4 of the will, Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie, whose office was situated at the Achimota Forest until his death, states:

“I give my land situate at the Achimota Forest in the name of Jakaypro Limited and measuring 5.541 acres to the following persons forever.

–Yaw Amoateng Afriyie                                  -One (1) acre

— Eva Akua Afriyie                                          One (1) acre

–Ivy Akua Afriyie                                            One (1) acre

–Elizabeth Asare Boateng (aka Mother)        One (1) acre

–Michael Owusu                                            1.541 acres

On page 5 of the will, it is stated: “I give my land also situate at the Achimota Forest in the name of Fasoh Limited and measuring 0.987acres to my nephews Michael Owusu, Yaw Boadu and Kwabena Amoateng forever.”

On the same page, the will states: “I jointly own a piece of land at Achimota Forest with Charles Owusu. Upon my demise, my portion of the said land should be given to Ruth Korkor Odonkor.”

That’s not all. On the same page 5 and still on the Achimota Forest, the will states: “I give my portion of land that jointly own at the Achimota Forest in the name of DML Limited to Elizabeth Asare Boateng who at the time of making this will is domiciled in the USA forever.”

The former head of the forestry commission also stated in the will that he owned land at the Ramsar area in Sakumono in Accra.

“I give my land situate at the Ramsar area at Sakumono in the Greater Accra Region and measuring 5.07 acres to my sisters Abena Saah and her children, Comfort Amoateng and her children, Abena Konadu and Juliet Akua Arko and her children on equal share basis forever,” the will states.

The Centre for Remote Sensing and Geographic Information Services (CERSGIS) defines a Ramsar site as “a wetlands site designated to be of international importance under the Ramsar convention. It provides for national action and international cooperation regarding the conservation of wetlands, and wise sustainable use of their resources.”

According to CERSGIS, the Sakumono site “is the only wetland wholly owned by the government and is meant for protecting Sakumono, Tema and their environs against floods and pollution, for the breeding of fish for the Sakumono Lagoon, as well as recreational activities.”

In June 2021, officials of CERSGIS and the Forestry Commission visited the site and observed that the site had “come under serious threat to the brink of extinction due to the heavy encroachment that had plagued the area for over three decades.”

The Forestry Commission, which Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie headed until his death, has published the Wetland Management (Ramsar Sites) Regulations 1999 that lists the Sakumono Ramsar site as part of the protected wetlands in Ghana. It prohibits a host of human activities in Ramsar sites.

Mr. Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie died on July 1, 2020, of Covid-19-related complications while receiving treatment at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital.

He made his latest will on  May 21, 2020, less than two months before his death.  The will named Charles Owusu and Nana Boakye Acheampong as executors.

It contained houses, lands, Kejetia market stalls, gold production investments and money in local and foreign banks as the properties to be distributed among the named persons in the will.

Other properties to be inherited included fuel stations, 13 private vehicles and 10 fuel tankers and five pump action guns.

Ministry reacts to will

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has indicated it will investigate the alleged inclusion of Achimota Forest lands in Sir John’s will.

A statement issued on Sunday, May 22, 2022, and published on the Facebook page of the ministry, said the ministry took “a very serious view of the allegations”. Here is the full statement issued by the Ministry:

“The attention of the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has been drawn to a document making the rounds on social media, which alleges that the late former Chief Executive Officer of the Forestry Commission, Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie, had included portions of the Achimota Forest in his Will, and given out same to individuals who are said to be related to him.

“The Ministry takes a very serious view of the allegations and has requested for all documents relating to the lands in question, as part of an initial inquiry to ascertain the veracity of the claims. Considering that the issues that form the basis of the allegations predate the tenure of the current Minister, Hon. Samuel A. Jinapor, MP, it is important that he is seized with the full facts to enable him take appropriate action, if, indeed, there is any merit in the claims.

“The Ministry assures the general public and the good people of Ghana that it will ensure that the national interest is protected at all times, especially in matters pertaining to the Achimota Forest.”

Below are pages from the will of Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie (Sir John):

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In a post, he disclosed that he cannot repay the sacrifices of the former CEO of the Forestry Commission and promised to keep his memory alive.

“Remembering a great father, Lawyer Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie, Sir John, on his posthumous 70th Birthday. I cannot repay your sacrifices, and the least I can do is help keep your memory alive. God bless and keep you until we meet again.

“From your grateful son, Yaw Amoateng Afriyie. Deputy CEO, Ghana Investment Promotion Centre,” he wrote.

The former General Secretary of the ruling New Patriotic Party, affectionately called Sir John, died on July 1, 2020, at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital after he was believed to have contracted COVID-19.

He was buried at his hometown Sakora Wonoo in the Kwabre East District of the Ashanti Region on June 3, 2021.

Aide to late Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Forestry Commission, Kwadwo Osei Afriyie, popularly known as Sir John, has resigned.

Charles Owusu, who was the Head of Monitoring Unit of the Forestry Commission, said the decision to quit is for personnel reasons.

He disclosed this in an exclusive interview with Adomonline.com following the burial of his late boss on Thursday, June 3, 2021.

Mr Owusu was appointed the Head of Monitoring Unit by Sir John and has since played instrumental role in preserving and restoring the country’s forest reserves.

But after giving his boss a befitting burial, he believes it is time to take the back seat.

“I have resigned from the Forestry Commission and written to those in charge. I want to rest,” he stated.

But there are reports that Mr Owusu was hounded out of the job.

The political activist, said to have shared the same office with the late Sir John, now had nowhere to sit at the Forestry Commission.

Reacting to this, Mr Owusu maintained that he left the Commission voluntarily.

“I have a very good relationship with the current CEO, John Allotey. I worked under him until now,” he stressed.

Listen to Charles Owusu in the attached audio:

According to Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, he would consider starting an impeachment process because he believes the President must take responsibility for conducting himself inappropriately.

“And, the sad part is that not a word from the President. He has not expressed remorse. It is as though nothing happened.”

He spoke on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show Monday. The discussion was centred on analyzing the Covid-19 safety protocols that were breached during Sir John’s funeral.

The North Tongu MP cited the fact that organisers of the Pneumatic night at the International Trade Fair Centre are being prosecuted for violating the same law and noted that the principle should be applied to patrons of Sir John’s funeral, including the President as well as the organisers of the funeral.

“And how do we explain that when it is the ordinary Joe, when it’s pastors, organisers of Christ Embassy Youth Church (CEYC) event, we halt them, we invite them, we take them on.

“I know of others who are serving jail time, in the early days of the pandemic. Young pastors who wouldn’t obey the protocols had to do time in prison. I think some of them are even still in jail. I recall visiting a particular pastor from Hohoe who was in jail.”

He urged the Ghana Police Service to investigate the matter and prosecute all those who will be found culpable.

Meanwhile, the Presidential Advisor on Health, Dr. Anthony Nsiah-Asare has indicated that persons who participated in the funeral of the late CEO of Forestry Commission, Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie are being monitored daily.

Over 500 people, including President Akufo-Addo, Vice President Dr. Bawumia, and Chief Justice Kwasi Anin-Yeboah were captured at the funeral, in a video that went viral, failing to observe the social distancing protocol.

But speaking to Emefa Apawu on JoyNews’ The Probe Sunday, Dr Nsiah Asare stressed that despite the blatant disregard for the safety protocols, he does not expect a spike in Covid-19 cases.

However, Mr Ablakwa believes the law should be applied fairly since that’s the only way a society is built.

“Let’s not have different strokes for different folks,” he said.

Over 500 people including President Akufo Addo, Vice President Dr Bawumia, and Chief Justice Annin Yeboah were captured in a viral video at the funeral where there was no observance of the required social-distancing protocols.

But, speaking to Emefa Apawu on JoyNews’ The Probe Sunday, Dr Nsiah Asare said despite the blatant disregard for the safety protocols, he does not expect a spike in Covid-19 cases.

“We are on the lookout to see whatever will happen from those who went. We have already spent one week we are waiting for the next two to three weeks and after that we will know if we have recorded a case. If we do, we will do the necessary contact tracing and find out if there is any problem.  

“But I believe strongly that because the event was held outside and most of the people who were there have had at least one dose of the Covid-19 vaccine so we are hopeful that nothing happens,” he stated.

Health Advisor also revealed that organizers of the event have already been picked up by the police to answer questions over the non-adherence of the protocols.

There has been a public criticism following the burial service held for the outspoken politician popularly known as Sir John on Thursday, June 3, 2021.

Some pressure groups questioned government’s moral right to be implementing the Imposition of Restrictions Act, 2020 (Act 1012) which prohibits mass gathering amidst the Covid-19 pandemic when it is going contrary to that very rule.

Also, the Ghana Medical Association (GMA) has demanded that the law enforcement agencies investigate and deal with the organisers of the funeral Mr Owusu-Afriyie.

Whereas, the Minority in Parliament has requested an unqualified apology from President Akufo-Addo and Vice President Mahamadu Bawumia for flouting the Covid-19 protocols.

One of such avenues is to file an formal complaint with the Inspector-General of Police (IGP).

Mr Barker-Vormawor, in an interview on PM:Express, indicated that after filing the petition to the IGP if a decision is made not to prosecute the individuals responsible for the breach of the Imposition of Restriction Act, the convenors of #FixTheCountry will “challenge the exercise of prosecutorial discretion around this in the Supreme Court.”

“So that is what we are going to do within the means of the law as much as citizens who want to be vigilant in the protection of our constitutional right,” he said.

He further described the failure of the country’s leaders to ensure the compliance of the Covid-19 protocols at Sir John’s funeral as “is a clear dereliction of duty” – one that should not be taken for granted.

Mr Barker-Vormawor further stated that “if the system that we have put in place fails to produce the results that our constitutional democracy expects, the best thing we can do is to continue to push that conversation.”

In the absence of that, he believes such blatant disregard of our laws by the nation’s political leaders will “continue to undermine the authority of the 1992 Constitution” and that may lead the country to “a point where the constitutional document will be so abused that the 4th Republic itself may be in jeopardy”.

He, however, noted that although our Constitution gives the president immunity because it “expects that certain things can be dealt with the political process”, every citizen has the right to “petition Parliament to call for the impeachment of the President”.

“Our constitution provides those remedies for us to test them and to hope that our constitutional democracy will grow from experiences like this… If the system that we have put in place fails to produce the result that our constitutional democracy expects, the best we can do is to continue to push that conversation.

His comment follows the burial ceremony held last week for the former General Secretary of the NPP, Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie which was attended by attended by thousands of mourners.

The President, his Vice and the Chief Justice and other Government functionaries were all present when hundreds of people crammed into each other in what the Ghana Medical Association described as a super spreader event.

The gathering was in breach of the Imposition of Restrictions Act, 2020 (Act 1012) and Covid-19 protocols were completely disregarded. There was no physical distancing and only few people wore face masks.

In a statement, the group observed that numerous politicians, including members of the governing New Patriotic Party were at the funeral and flouted the Imposition of Restrictions Act, 2020 (Act 1012) which prohibits mass gathering amidst the Covid-19 pandemic.

Thus, Occupy Ghana questioned government’s moral right in implementing the law, when it is going contrary to that very rule.

Citing the issue of Christ Embassy’s ‘Pneumatica Night’ where thousands massed up at a single location for which organisers of the event are being prosecuted, the group said government cannot be discriminatory in imposing the rules governing the country.

“We cannot show such a remarkable sense of recklessness and abandon in these times and not expect to reap disastrous and possibly deadly consequences. This disregard of the law will embolden several people to treat Covid-19 protocols with disdain and contempt,” the statement read.

Occupy Ghana also referred government to the “weak” reason the Ghana Police Service capitalised on to prevent the #FixTheCountry campaigners from carrying out their planned demonstration in May.

According to the group, “we do not think that what happened did justice to the memory of a man who was reputed to be a man of discipline.”

Whilst extending its condolences to the family of the late Sir John, Occupy Ghana stressed that the dire effects of Covid-19 should not be forgotten.

Full statement:

OCCUPYGHANA®️ DEPLORES WANTON DISREGARD FOR PUBLIC SAFETY, ENABLING ANOTHER POTENTIAL SUPER SPREADER EVENT

OccupyGhana®️ has watched with consternation news reports, videos and photographs of the funeral and burial of New Patriotic Party politician and former Chief Executive of the Forestry Commission of Ghana, Mr. Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie, which event packed thousands of politicians, well-wishers and mourners into a park, with minimal mask wearing, absolutely no social distancing and a wanton disregard for the funeral restrictions imposed by government. We do not think that what happened did justice to the memory of a man who was reputed to be a man of discipline.

In our press release of 2 May 2021 regarding the holding of the Christ Embassy religious event at the Fantasy Dome, we thought no reminders were needed that the dangerous and deadly COVID-19 was still present and active among us. In that release, we hailed government’s imposition of protocols by law, which we believe demand compliance, by all. To wake up to contrary behaviour by prominent members of the same government and other politicians, after we have seen the colossal human disaster that has unfolded in India, caused by unrestrained political activities and religious events that did not respect COVID-19 protocols, is both disappointing and frightening.

We cannot show such a remarkable sense of recklessness and abandon in these times and not expect to reap disastrous and possibly deadly consequences. We need no reminders that by exercising bad judgment in releasing Aisha Huang, government created a defiant galamsey population on its hands and more destruction of our water bodies and forests ensued until it had to resort to the illegal and populist remedy of burning excavators to try and stem the tide of evil genie unleashed with the release of Aisha Huang. Similarly, this disregard of the law will embolden several people to treat COVID-19 protocols with disdain and contempt.

We saw and read about the police charging the people who organised the Christ Embassy event with offences under the Imposition of Restrictions Act. We have seen the Police resort to court injunctions and threats of force to stop the planned #fixGhana protests and demonstrations, with the weak excuse that they will defy the same Act. We hasten to ask whether the government has any moral authority now where these matters are concerned?

While extending to Sir John and his family all the deserving courtesies, respect and condolences, the irony is not lost on us that due to COVID-19, a British Royal and Duke had only 30 people in attendance at his funeral. The whole world witnessed it, and we thought much lessons could have been gleaned from that utterly humane event around a person of global stature.

This behaviour of people in a position to know better is deeply worrying, and while we can only pray that it doesn’t happen, if in weeks this event turns out to be a super spreader event with more deaths and hospitalisations, government will have no one but itself to blame for its inability and unwillingness to show a better example.

We repeat our oft-repeated call on all Ghanaians to keep respecting the COVID-19 protocols in all situations. We must protect ourselves and our loved ones, even when people who should know better break the law while enforcing it against others.

Yours, for God and Country

OccupyGhana®️

Former President John Mahama is still not in the good books of failed presidential aspirant, Akua Donkor.

His crime this time is not going to the funeral of former General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party, Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie, popularly known as Sir John.

His final funeral rites were held at the Sakora Wonoo Junior High School, in the Kwabre East District of the Ashanti Region.

Family, friends and residents of the community filed past the mortal remains of the former Chief Executive Officer of the Forestry Commission to pay their last respects.

High-ranking politicians, including the President, Nana Akufo-Addo and Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, were at the funeral to bid their colleague farewell.

A delegation from the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), led by its General Secretary, Johnson Asiedu Nketia, also known as General Mosquito, was also there to mourn with the family.

However, former President Mahama was not seen at the venue of the funeral. Some are still hopeful he might go on the third day to also pay his last respects.

But Akua Donkor, in an interview with Adom News’ Nana Osei Ampofo Agyei, said Mr Mahama has no excuse.

“I’m very disappointed in Mahama; how can he miss such an important funeral?”

Madam Donkor, who is also founder and leader of the Ghana Freedom Party, said the former President should reschedule all his programmes to attend to honour late Sir John.

She, however, commended President Akufo-Addo for giving Sir John a befitting burial.

Play attached audio for more:

“They have disappointed residents of Sakora Wonoo; at least this road should have been constructed by the NPP government a week to the funeral, and they should not wait for us to demonstrate,” they said.

According to them, the NPP has disgraced its late former Chief Executive Officer of the Forestry Commission, Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie, as that was not what the party promised.

They said they doubt the party will ever construct the road, and “even if they do, they have already disgraced Sir John” due to the delay.

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“Sir John fought a strong fight for Nana Addo to win the election. Now Sir John is late, and you have disappointed him. His ghost, wherever he is, would attest that the NPP government has disappointed him,” a female resident said.

“When Sir John was alive, he ensured that the gutters are constructed, he was going to ensure the roads are constructed, and he passed on, he was constructing the hospital.

“We were benefiting from him but for death. You came to us and spoke big English during his one-week celebration, though some of us are not educated, there were others who are, so they explained to us.”

Another resident recalled the promise made to them by the NPP before the election and wondered if ever those promises will be a reality.

“They said they were going to complete the hospital and school and also ensure that they complete any project that Sir John started before his burial.

“Sir John has been in the fridge for a year until today that he’s been buried yet they have not constructed the road so, after the burial, we would have no business with the NPP,” they said.

The late Sir John died at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Wednesday, July 1, 2020, after a bout with Covid-19.

The former Chief Executive Officer of the Forestry Commission and New Patriotic Party (NPP) General Secretary passed on on July 1, 2020, at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital.

Other dignitaries present include the Second Lady, Samira Bawumia, Chief of Staff, Frema Osei Opare, Minister for Trade and Industry, Alan Kyerematen and Ashanti Regional Minister, Simon Osei Mensah.

The rest are; National Organiser, Sammi Awuku, Youth Organiser, Henry Nana Boakye and the General-Secretary of the NDC, Johnso Asiedu Nketia among others.

Hundreds of people from all political divides, state agencies and the media have all thronged the Sakora Wonoo township to commiserate with the family.

READ ON:

• Photo of Sir John’s ‘house’ tomb causes stir

• Tears as Sir John’s mortal remains arrive at Sakora Wonoo [Video]

All the funeral rites will take place at Sakora Wonoo in strict adherence to the covid-19 safety protocols.

A thanksgiving service in his honour will be held on Saturday, June 5, 2021, at the Sakora Wonoo Seventh Day Adventist Church at 8:am.

The former General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party died at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Wednesday, July 1, 2020, after a short illness.

The body was moved from Accra on Wednesday, June 2, 2021, to Sakora Wonoo in the Kwabre East District of the Ashanti Region ahead of the funeral rites on Thursday.

Relatives, residents and mourners from far and near have thronged the town in their numbers to wail and cry as they mourn their hero.

From the young to the aged, everyone is seen clad in red or black.

All the funeral rites will take place at Sakora Wonoo in strict adherence to the covid-19 safety protocols.

President Nana Akufo-Addo and other dignitaries are also expected to be at the ceremony to pay their last respects to the fallen hero.

The former General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party died at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Wednesday, July 1, 2020, after a short illness.

The body was moved from Accra on Tuesday, June 2, 2021 to Sakora Wonoo in the Kwabre East District of the Ashanti Region ahead of the funeral rites

Residents and sympathisers thronged the streets in their numbers clad in black and red attire to welcome the body amid tears.

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All the funeral rites will take place at Sakora Wonoo in strict adherence to the covid-19 safety protocols.

Watch the video below:

All the funeral rites are scheduled to take place in his hometown, Sakora Wonoo in the Kwabre East District of the Ashanti Region in strict adherence to the covid-19 safety protocols.

Sir John will be laid in state at the Junior High School park from 3:am to 9:am and buried at the family cemetery at 10:am.

A thanksgiving service in his honour will be held on Saturday, June 5, 2021, at the Sakora Wonoo Seventh Day Adventist Church at 8:am.

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The former General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party died at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Wednesday, July 1, 2020, after testing positive for Covid-19.

Read the full details below:

President Nana Akufo-Addo and the New Patriotic Party have been warned to stay away from the funeral of the former Forestry Commission boss, Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie, aka Sir John.

This is according to the residents of Sakora Wonoo in the Kwabre East District of the Ashanti Region due to the bad nature of roads in the area.

They revealed contractors packed out of the community after the Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia and other NPP stalwarts used the road to attend their son’s one-week rites.

They have given an ultimatum to the President and the party in which Sir John served as a secretary to ensure they do the needful or forget about his funeral.

The queen mother of the area, Nana Ama Nyarko, who led residents in a demonstration on Thursday, April 29, 2021, bemoaned why they should face such a problem, looking at the love Sir John had for his party.

“Sir John brought you here nine years ago after you lost your first contest and you promised to fix the roads for us and we will plead with you to fulfill that promise.

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“If not, we are going to bury Sir John because he is our son but they should forget coming to the funeral,” she fumed.

To her, the contribution of the former New Patriotic Party General Secretary, who hails from the community, should be enough reason to influence the rehabilitation of the road.

The residents fear they may be cut off from surrounding communities as their roads and bridge linking them continue to deteriorate.

Their fears have heightened after half of the weak bridge caved in at the onset of rains with concrete culverts being washed away.

Drivers now have to skillfully maneuver their way to cross the bridge which may fully collapse at anytime.

Meanwhile, the District Chief Executive for the area, Osei Bonsu, has revealed road projects in the Kwabre East have progressed at a slow pace for financial reasons but efforts were underway to get the contractors back on site.

Watch the video attached above:

The son of Sir John as he is popularly known, Yaw Amoateng Afriyie, has made a donation to the party for the December 7, 2020 election campaign.

Mr Afriyie on Monday handed over the items in support of the NPP’s national campaign at the NPP headquarters in Accra.

The items he donated included 1,500 NPP-designed aprons and 165 bags of rice.

Apart from the donation towards the national campaign, Mr Afriyie also offered 1,000 aprons and 100 bags of rice to his constituency, Kwabre East, in the Ashanti Region.

Mr Afriyie’s donation was received by the National Chairman of the NPP, Freddy Blay, who commended the young man for keeping his father’s legacy alive.

Mr Blay recounted how the late Afriyie, loved the NPP and worked hard towards the good of the party, adding that it was the best for his son to continue from where the father left off.

The NPP Chairman promised that the NPP was ready to offer the needed support to Mr Afriyie, and urged him to offer his maximum contribution towards the growth of the party.

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Mr Afriyie, on his part, said that he was motivated by the good works of the Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo administration to be part of the campaign.

He said that he would endeavour to serve the NPP with zeal and enthusiasm just like his late father did until he exited the world.

He said that he was of the firm conviction that the grassroots were the base of the NPP and thought it wise to donate the rice that would be used to motivate some polling station agents.

The soft-spoken Mr Afriyie said that he would always be part of the NPP to work towards the party’s progress “because it is the only party with the interest of Ghana and Ghanaians at heart.”

The comic actor, also noted for his talent in doing highlife songs, took time off his schedule to bid the politician farewell in an energetic performance.

Clad in black attire, he performed to console friends, family and lovers of the late NPP big man, who, until his demise, was the Chief Executive Officer of the Forestry Commission.

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A number of party bigwigs and other political leaders across the divides graced the occasion.

Sir John died on June 1 this year.

Watch Agya Koo’s performance above:

The vigil is in collaboration with the Wonoo Youth Association in the Ashanti region, the hometown of the late Forestry Commission boss born Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie.

The ceremony is scheduled to take place at 7:00 pm ahead of his one-week observation in his hometown on Wednesday, July 22, 2020.

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This follows the former NPP General Secretary’s demise on Wednesday, July 1, 2020, at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital.

Read details of the vigil below:

Charles Owusu claims such a report, which went viral shortly after his death, was just a figment of someone’s imagination.

“Sir John didn’t die of COVID-19; we are still waiting for the autopsy report,” he stated in an interview on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen programme Tuesday.

The former Chief Executive Officer of the Forestry Commission died on July 1, 2020 after testing positive for Covid-19.

According to reports, he succumbed to complications of the disease while undergoing treatment at the Intensive Care Unit of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital.

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A member of Parliament for Tema West, Carlos Kingsley Ahenkorah, who shared a ward with the late Sir John, also confirmed he died of coronavirus.

But a livid Mr Owusu insists his godfather did not die of the novel disease as has been speculated.

He explained that Sir John, who tested positive for COVID-19, was treated and recovered before his admission at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital.

“When Sir John was at the hospital, the doctors were still running other tests because they couldn’t diagnose his ailment,” he said.

Mr Owusu disclosed that the former NPP General Secretary did not have any underlying condition to die from COVID-19.

“Sir John was stronger than me a young man so his death came to me as a shock. Let’s stop the speculation when people die,” he fumed.

Mr Owusu said they are still waiting for the autopsy report to know the cause of death of Sir John.

Meanwhile, a memorial service will be held for Sir John in his hometown on Wednesday July 22, 2020.

The former New Patriotic Party (NPP) General Secretary, born Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie, passed on Wednesday, July 1, 2020, at Korle Bu.

READ ALSO

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The celebration will be virtual and aired live on Oman FM, Okyeman FM and Ash FM between the hours of 10:30 am and 11:30 am.

Read the details below:

Watch out for videos and photos of the celebration here.

This was when he paid a visit to the former Ghana Forestry Commission Boss’ family popularly known as Sir John.

Taking to Twitter to announce his visit to the family, he penned an emotional tribute to the former General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

According to reports, he died Wednesday evening at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital after contracting Covid-19.

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Sir John reportedly succumbed to complications of COVID-19 while undergoing treatment at the Intensive Care Unit of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital.

Read the tweet below:

My friend Sir John is gone to his Maker indeed: I have had no option but to visit his residence this morning to commiserate with his family & sign a Book of Condolence. What is Man, that, we should boast of our existence? Sir John, I shall deeply miss you. pic.twitter.com/i7Ws7WkYbQ

— Samuel Koku Anyidoho?? (@KokuAnyidoho) July 3, 2020

Describing him as a mentor and pillar of his political career, Sammy Awuku prayed for eternal peace for his late godfather.

“Thank you for believing in me Sir, thank you for mentoring me Wofa. Thank you for being a pillar in my short political journey. Thank you for everything Wofa,” he said.

Sharing fond memories of the late Sir John on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen programme Thursday, Mr Awuku described him as a grassroots person loved by many in the country.

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“His office at the Forestry Commission is like a market. People throng there every day and he had time for everyone,” he said.

The NPP National Organiser said the outpouring of love from both NPP and the opposition National Democratic Congress shows Sir John lived a very good life.

“SAD! Gone but will never be forgotten. Tomorrow is never promised so let love lead. Rest in Peace Wofa,” he said.

According to John Mahama, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) stalwart, popularly known as Sir John, was a feisty and intriguing politician who brought lots of interesting moments to political discourse.

Taking to Facebook to pen his tribute, he consoled the NPP over their loss and extended same to his family.

According to reports, he died Wednesday evening at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital after contracting Covid-19.

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• He was the people’s General Secretary – NPP Council of Elders…

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Sir John reportedly succumbed to complications of COVID-19 while undergoing treatment at the Intensive Care Unit of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital.

His promise comes a day after the former NPP stalwart passed on at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital after testing positive for the novel coronavirus.

I want his family to know that if he is gone I am here to take over his responsibilities, so they can call on me for anything they need and I will be there for them, an emotional Mr Nketia said in an interview monitored by ABC News.

Mr Nketia, alias General Mosquito, speaking further in the interview, said despite the sharp political differences between them, Sir John was like a brother to him, adding that they did a lot of things together in their private lives.

According to him, he and Sir John took a decision never to allow their political differences to affect their personal relationship and it never did.

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When we both became General Secretaries of the two leading political parties, we both decided to maintain our relationship and not allow anything to come between us. So, he was a brother to me, a very sad General Mosquito said.

General Mosquito, who struggled to hide his emotions about the death of his friend, therefore extended his sympathies to the family, wife and children of the former Chief Executive Officer of Ghana Forestry Commission, promising to take up the role of Sir John in his family.

Doctors at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital spent over one-and-half hours trying to resuscitate the late Chief Executive Officer of the Forestry Commission, Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie, popularly known as Sir John.

The outspoken politician, who was on admission after testing positive for coronavirus (COVID-19), allegedly fell on his bed while having his dinner, Deputy Trade Minister, Carlos Ahenkorah, who shared the ward with the former General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has disclosed.

“Sir John was in high spirit; he was his jovial self and made us very happy at the ward,” he stated on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen programme Thursday.

However, Mr Ahenkorah said things moved really fast when his health deteriorated around 8: pm Wednesday evening.

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“I’m still in shock because Sir John told me he does not have any underlying health condition and he looked really healthy,” the Member of Parliament for Tema West said.

He said all efforts by the doctors to get Sir John back to life proved futile.

“The doctors at Korle Bu did their best to bring him to life but it was too late,” he bemoaned.

Mr Ahenkorah said the late Sir John was hoping to be discharged this week until his sudden demise.

He prayed for God to grant Sir John safe passage and also commiserated with his family.

The president’s tribute follows several messages of Goodwill from some New Patriotic Party (NPP) stalwarts and Ghanaians at large.

Taking to social media, he expressed his deepest sorrow for the passing of the NPP’s top member, adding he will widely be missed.

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• Short profile of the late Sir John

According to reports, Sir John died Wednesday evening at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital after contracting Covid-19.

Sir John reportedly succumbed to complications of the disease while undergoing treatment at the Intensive Care Unit of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital.

Until his death, Sir John was the Chief Executive Officer of the Forestry Commission.

Ghanaians were hit with the news of the death of the former Ghana Forestry Commission boss on Wednesday evening after contracting Covid-19.

Sir John reportedly succumbed to complications of the disease while undergoing treatment at the Intensive Care Unit of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital.

The mourners turned up clad in red and black attires with their nose masks amid the coronavirus pandemic.

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The mourners, who could not control their tears, continuously mentioned his name as they wailed.

Family members have described the death of their son as a big blow to the entire community and the nation at large.

According to Alhaji Nasiru, Nana Akufo-Addo is President today due to the relentless efforts of Sir John as he is affectionately called.

“Sir John was a pace setter, mentor and one thing I keep saying is that Nana Addo is a president today because of Sir John because he was actively involved and the story cannot be complete without him,” he eulogized on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem, Thursday.

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His words follow the demise of the former New Patriotic Party (NPP) General Secretary on Wednesday night after succumbing to complications of the deadly COVID-19.

Alhaji Nasiru stressed he had a personal relationship with the deceased, adding he has learnt a lot which he believes will help in his political career.

“He called me most times after radio or TV shows to reprimand me of comments he thought were not worthy and a lot of us upcoming communicators took inspiration from him,” he said.

Alhaji said he was, however, saddened that there will be no memoirs of Sir John, adding that was something parties must pay attention to so as to leave chunks of political history and experience behind.

Obour described the late politician as a man who loves to advise and coach people with the experiences he had in his field of expertise.

Obour wrote on social media on Thursday, July 02, 2020:

Sir John.
My No1 Advisor,
My political Coach,
My biggest fan,
My Agya bi wua, Agya bi te ase, Father
Wofa Wofa Wofa,
I am lost for words.
Wofa, Please let your spirit guide me even in your death.
Rest in Peace- Demmrifa Due

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Sir John died on Wednesday evening at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital after a short ailment.

Until his death, Sir John was the Chief Executive Officer of the Forestry Commission.

He died after testing positive for coronavirus (Covid-19).

Sir John reportedly succumbed to complications of the disease while undergoing treatment at the ICU of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital.

It’s trite knowledge that General Mosquito was a good friend of Sir John and as such, the NDC stalwart says he was yet to recover from the shock his death.

“I am still in a state of shock and doubt because though I heard of his sickness, I thought it was just stress since he had been busy lately,” he said.

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Mr Nketia disclosed that his last conversation with Sir John was about two weeks ago.

“He called me to break the news of his sister and mother’s death which funerals were scheduled for July 9 but I was in Tamale by then so I assured him of my visit immediately I touch down in Accra,” he recounted.

According to General Mosquito, he received a call two days ago that the funeral had been rescheduled for August 31 because Sir John was not feeling well.

“I thought it was the stress from the funeral preparations only for my wife to tell me about the death yesterday and when I switched on my TV, the news was all over,” he added.

Listen to Mr Asiedu Nketia in the audio below:

Mr Agyemang, speaking on Adom FM‘s Dwaso Nsem show on Thursday, asserted that only a few members of the party could do what Sir John did for the party while alive. 

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Sir John was a different kind of a General Secretary, he was the people’s General Secretary because he was in touch with the grassroots of the party, they were really close to him, he stated.

Sir John was very kind, the Lord keep his soul, my condolences to his family, he added. 

Sir John died on Wednesday evening at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital after a short ailment.

Mr Asiedu-Nketia, speaking on the Dwaso Nsem morning show on Thursday, said his ‘rival’ and friend came to live with him for three continuous days to help him mourn his dead mother. 

According to General Mosquito, he and Sir John did everything together during the three days he spent with him.

They ate together, slept together and always moved around the town, much to the dislike of some NPP members in the town.  

They did not understand why Sir John had to come and live with me; they were very displeased with him but the kind of relationship I have with Sir John goes beyond politics, we are very good friends, he said. 

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Speaking on the sudden demise of his dear friend, Mr Nketia said he initially thought news of his death was a social media prank as he himself has been a victim of it a couple of times, until the news was confirmed by a close relative of his to him as well as subsequent media reportage. 

Listen to General Mosquito in the interview below:

Sir John who was on the political talk show Ekosii Sen, was commenting on the chances of John Mahama in the impending 2020 polls.

He asserted in the said interview that Mr Mahama was no threat to the NPP, especially when he had been humiliated in the 2016 elections.

The comeback of John Mahama is not a threat to us [NPP], John Mahama is dizzy and is yet to regain consciousness, he said.

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• Ayikoi Otoo’s ‘love letter’ to Sir John [Read]

Sir John who until his death was the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Forestry Commission died at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital on Wednesday where he was on admission receiving treatment for testing positive for COVID-19.

Sources say he had been put on a ventilator but could not still make it in view of the fact that he had some underlying health conditions.

Watch video of his last interview below:

According to him, his selfless service to the party and its members was one of a kind which makes his death a big blow to the party.

“He was a great pillar for the party and his country making his loss a big blow to the party.

“He was an extraordinary person and general secretary; in fact the people’s general secretary who was full of love and compassion,” he eulogised.

News of Ghana’s Forestry Commission Boss’ demise, born Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie, broke out on Wednesday, July 1, 2020.

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Reports indicate he died at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital after testing positive for coronavirus (Covid-19).

Sir John reportedly succumbed to complications of the disease while undergoing treatment at the Intensive Care Unit of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital.

Mourning Sir John’s death on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem, Thursday, he eulogised the deceased on his great contributions to the party.

“I personally didn’t hear about his sickness but it is sad we cannot give him the befitting and desirous burial as someone who willingly devoted himself to the party looking at the times we find ourselves in,” he sobbed.

Sir John, as he is popularly known, passed on Wednesday, July 1, 2020, at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra.

He died after testing positive for coronavirus (Covid-19).

Sir John reportedly succumbed to complications of the disease while undergoing treatment at the Intensive Care Unit of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital.

Taking to social media to join scores of Ghanaians in mourning Sir John, Mr Otchere-Darko disclosed he called to wish him speedy recovery few hours before the incident.

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“Only this afternoon I called to wish him a speedy recovery. This is truly shattering! Tough to swallow… Sleep easy, Sir John,” he mourned.

The CEO of the Forestry Commission is reported to have died in Accra on Wednesday after a short illness.

Speaking to JoyNews, Mr Blay said “I’m in shock. I am trying, as it were, to digest it. I still cannot believe it.”

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“About three weeks ago I was at his office. He was very well and happy, we cracked jokes. He was very healthy and full of life,” he said.

He further explained that “I learnt, about some four days ago, that he had taken ill and was recovering.”

The clearly distraught Chairman of the NPP described Sir John’s demise as a big loss to the party and the country.

“I spoke with Sir John only yesterday but little did I know that was our last conversation” he wrote on his Twitter page.

The Vice President described late Sir John as a good man who has paid his duties to the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and to Ghana.

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Below is his tweet

He is reported to have died in Accra on Wednesday after a short illness.

Some well-wishers including government officials took to social media to share their condolences with the family of Sir John.

News of his sudden demise on Wednesday July 1, 2020 spread like wild fire with many on social media paid glowing tribute to him.

The former General Secretary of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) dead after testing positive for Covid-19.

He succumbed to complications of the disease while undergoing treatment at the ICU of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital.

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• NPP’s Sir John has died
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Below are some tweets about Sir John

He became CEO of the Forestry Commission in March 2018 after being appointed to that position by President Akufo-Addo.

The lawyer cum politician had previously served as general secretary of the governing party between 2010 and 2014.

In July 2013, Afriyie was summoned to the Supreme Court of Ghana because he had made some potentially contemptuous comments.

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He had criticised the Court for its actions in a criminal contempt case involving Sammy Awuku of the New Patriotic Party.

This was after he had implied that the justices’ continuous mention of public radio discussions on cases that were before the court was a ploy by the court to curtail people from expressing themselves.

Upon appearing before the court, his counsel, Ayikoi Otoo, pleaded with the court to be lenient and declared that his client had pleaded guilty to the charge.

According to Ayikoi Otoo, “… some power for which no one had control over, entered Owusu Afriyie, because as a lawyer, he ought to have known the law”.

The Peace Council also offered a plea on Afriyie’s behalf to the court. After a brief trial, Afriyie was fined ¢5000 cedis or, if he defaulted on payment, a six-month prison term.

Afriyie was made to sign a bond of good behaviour as well as retracting and offering an apology to the bench within 24 hours on the same platform he had used to criticise the court.

Profile

Sir John was born in the Ashanti Region and he attended Seventh Day Adventist Secondary School in Bekwai from where he obtained his GCE Ordinary level certificate.

He proceeded to obtain his GCE Advanced level certificate from Konongo Odumase Secondary School in Konongo.

Mr Owusu Afriyie was admitted to study political science at the University of Ghana after which he enrolled at the Ghana School of Law where he graduated with Bachelor of Laws.

He was then admitted as a solicitor and counsel for the Supreme Court of Ghana.