Mpohor (W/R), Aug 1, GNA - Mr Steven Krakue, Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Tourism in the Second Republic was laid to rest at Mpohor in the Western Region, on Saturday. Mr Krakue who was 74 years old died in London on May 17, 2004 after a short illness and left behind a wife and six children. He established the Ayiem Oil Mills near Mpohor, was a founding member of the Popular Front Party (PFP) and assisted in the drafting of the NPP constitution. The late Krakue was the MP for Wassa West having won the 1969 elections on the ticket of the Progress Party (PP).

Preaching at the burial service, the Right Reverend Kow B. Egyir, Methodist Bishop of the Sekondi Diocese, said many people in Ghana rendered services only with the motive of benefiting and not for the improvement of the society. "Such services are not lasting and does not encourage people to emulate us," he said.

Bishop Egyir noted that as the electioneering campaign period approached, many people "would only think of their personal benefits before that of the nation". He urged Ghanaians to emulate the good deeds of past leaders and reminded current ones to serve as inspiration for others, adding, "A good leader should inspire his subordinates to aspire for great heights".

Parents especially fathers who neglected their responsibility towards their children should change, Bishop Egyir said. Mr J H Mensah, Senior Minister, called on the youth to emulate people who devoted their time, talents and other resources for the development of the nation. He stressed the need for love, fellow feeling and sympathy among Ghanaians to ensure peace.

The Senior Minister urged the youth to go into farming and to work hard to enable them to support their wives and children. Present at the funeral were President Kufuor and the First Lady, Theresa, some Members of the Council of State, Ministers, MPs and DCEs from both the Western and Central regions. Among the large crowd of mourners were Heads of Departments and agencies and NPP supporters.