A solemn memorial service was on Friday held for the late Smart Yekimpa Awupulikem Chigabatia, a former Executive Secretary of the Civil and Local Government Staff Association, Ghana (CLOGSAG) in Accra.

The three-hour service was organized to enable friends and sympathizers who would not be able to travel to Navrongo to commiserate with the bereaved family and to participate in the formal funeral and burial rites scheduled on January 25th and 26th in the Northern Region to do so in Accra.

Miss Akua Sena Dansua, Minister of Tourism in a tribute described the late Mr Chigabatia as a man who selflessly gave of his best to serve a worthy course.

She said he was full of humour and added that Mr Chigabatia would always be remembered for his ambition and passion of working for the welfare of workers.

Miss Dansua prayed that the bereaved family and friends could find the fortitude from God to cope with the loss.

Dr Robert Dodoo, Chairman of the Civil Service Council, said late Chigabatia would always be remembered for his immense contributions to better the living conditions of workers, his sterling leadership skills as an Executive Secretary, his honesty, and the good grasp that he had over skills and principles in negotiations.

He said the deceased contributed substantially towards the promulgation of the new labour law.

Mr W.K. Kemevor, Head of Civil Service, said that under the tenure of the Late Chigabatia, there were no industrial strikes, stressing that it was a sign of his strong lobbying and dialogue skills which he effectively employed.

Mr Isaac Bampoe Addo, Executive Secretary of CLOGSAG, noted that late Chigabatia was an astute negotiator, who led his team of executives to get Government to implement the Ghana Universal Salary Structure (GUSS).

The GUSS was the offshoot of the Price Water House and Associates Report on medium to long term wages and salaries policy in the late 1990s.

Mr Addo said, “it is important to note that the current Single Spine Pay Policy was supported by the Civil and Local Government Staff and Chigabatia was among the first group that toured the country to explain the principles of the new pay policy to public servants”.

Though there were other statements made by sister unions, it was the dirge performed by the Ghana Dance Ensemble that sent many wiping their eyes dry of tears.

The melancholic tunes together with the lament by the actors sent uncontrollable tears running the cheeks of some of those who had gathered at the auditorium of the National Secretariat.

Mr Smart Chigabatia died on Tuesday 6th November 2012 after a short illness.