Ghana's minister for Finance and Economic planning, Hon. Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu, passed away in a South Africa hospital (today).

"The government announces with deep sorrow and shock the death of Mr Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu, minister of finance and economic planning," Kwadwo Mpiani, Ghana's minister of presidential affairs, said in a statement.

"Mr Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu passed away today after a short illness in a South African hospital," the statement said.

According to a source, in J'burg, he died suddenly while attending a conference. Another source claims he died after a short illness . ...More details later

Baah Wiredu was born in Asante Akim Agogo. He started his secondary education at the Kumasi High School, Kumasi in 1967. He obtained the GCE Ordinary Level Certificate in 1972. He had his sixth form education at Prempeh College, also in Kumasi. Baah Wiredu proceeded to the University of Ghana in 1974 and obtained a B.Sc. in Administration (Accounting option). He then did a four-year course with the Institute of Chartered Accountants qualifying as a chartered accountant in 1985.

Career

Kwadwo Baah Wiredu has worked at various positions with the now defunct Ghana Airways airline and the Volta River Authority. He has worked as a senior consultant on computer-systems and as finance manager of Ananse Systems. In addition, he was a partner in Asante Wiredu and Associates, an accounting firm, prior to being an MP.[2] Honourable Kwadwo Baah Wiredu died on the 24th of September, 2008 in South Africa. He would always be remembered as one of the most influential and dynamic ministers Ghana has ever had.

Politics

Baah Wiredu was one of the campaigners against the Union government (UNIGOV) concept put forward by General Acheampong's Supreme Military Council in 1978.[1] He joined the New Patriotic Party when it was formed in 1992. He became an MP in the Second Parliament of the Fourth Republic after the 1996 parliamentary elections and has retained his seat since then. He became a minister in John Kufuor's NPP government since 2001.[3] He has so far held the portfolios of Local Government and Rural Development (2001-2003)[3] and Education, Youth and Sports (2003-2005)[4]. He is currently the Minister for Finance and Economic Planning, a position he has held since 2005.

He died on Wednesday 24th September, 2008 in South Africa.