"Sad month, March has taken a great toll” President Mahama Pays Tribute to Jake

President John Mahama says March has had a great toll on Ghana as many prominent Ghanaians have died in the month.

Paying tribute to a former National Chairman of the New Patriotic Party, Jake Okanta Obetsebi-Lamptey, in a tweet, at his handle, @JDMahama, he writes: "Sad month. March has taken a great toll. MoD Chief Dir A. Fuseini, B Okala, DCOP Awuni & now J. Obetsebi Lamptey. Deepest condolences." 

Mr. Jake Otanka Obetsebi Lamptey died in London, early Sunday, March 20, 2016 in a London hospital. 

His death follows that of Eastern regional police commander, DCOP Awuni, last week. In early March, Ghana also lost comedian Bishop Bob Okala, whose death followed that of another comedian, Nkomode, in February.

Mr. Obetsebi-Lamptey, served as Chief of Staff in the Kufuor administration and later as Minister of Tourism. 

He is credited with the re-branding of Valentine’s Day as Chocolate Day in Ghana.

He also introduced  Friday wears in Ghana, as part of measures to promote made-in-Ghana goods. 

His father was a member of the Big Six in Ghana’s political history. 

In 2007, he run with 16 others in the NPP's presidential primaries but lost. 

He died at age 70.

Tributes have also poured in from former President Jerry Rawlings and his wife, the NPP’s 2016 presidential candidate, Nana Akufo-Addo, the NDC and the PPP.

GBC