The nation on March 19 mourned the passing away of Member of Parliament for the Jirapa constituency, Hon. Hon. Edward Kojo Salia.

The nation honored the memory of the former Minister of Communications at a state funeral held at the forecourt of the State House.

The ceremony was attended by the President of the Republic, H.E. John Evans Atta Mills; Vice Presidential, John Dramani Mahama; Convention People’s Party flagbearer for the 2008 elections, Dr. Paa Kwesi Ndoum and New Patriotic Party Chairman and General Secretary, Peter Mac Manu and Nana Ohene Ntow respectively among other officials from the current and out gone government.

Parliament suspended sitting on March 19 2009 and urged all MPs to attend the ceremony.

Hon Salia died on February March 16, after a long illness.

He first entered Parliament in 1996 and managed to retain his seat in 2000 and in 2008 despite his ill health.

He was succeeded by a wife and four children.

Paying his tribute to the Honourable member, the President noted that his tribute covered two governments - The Rawlings Administration and his.

He recounted the days when Hon. Salia had been his student in the University of Ghana, Legon and his interactions with him as members of cabinet in the Rawlings administration.

President Mills, whose tribute was read on his behalf by the Minister of Transport, Mike Hama, also touched on Hon. Salia’s contributions to the development of the nation in the Ministry of Communication and the Roads Ministry, where he ensured that telecommunications and improved road networks were expanded to include the Northern Regions.  

He also noted Hon Salia’s contributions to the National Democratic Congress’s victory in the 2008 Presidential elections.

Tributes were also presented by Hon. Salia’s children, his wife, a representative of the NDC and the Speaker of Parliament which was read on her behalf by Hon. Doe Adzaho.  

Wreaths were also laid by the President on behalf of the people of Ghana, the Speaker for Parliament, Hon. Salia’s Wife and children and the NDC Chairman,

The body of Hon. Edward Salia will to be flown the Jirapa town on March 19 to be followed by the final funeral rites on Saturday, March 21 2009.

Meanwhile, a new policy has been announced as part of privileges for members of the nation’s legislature.

Henceforth, every member of the House, who dies while still on active lawmaking duty, shall be entitled to a state burial.

Minority Leader, Hon. Kyei Mensah Bonsu, who announced this in Parliament on March 18, said the late Hon Edward Salia will be the first member of the House to benefit from the new policy.

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