Accra, July 15, GNA - Professor John Evans Ata Mills, flag bearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), on Tuesday said the news of the death of Mr. Peter Ala Adjetey came to him as a complete shock. "On behalf of the NDC I formally express my heartfelt condolences to his wife and family for such a great loss," a statement issued from Prof. Mills' office said.

He described Mr. Ala Adjetey as a patriot saying that he served his country at every stage of his life with conviction and a sense of "unsurpassed patriotism".

He said, as one of Ghana's most recognised legal brains and politicians, Mr Adjetey always left a mark wherever he strode, adding that he represented a rare type with a strong opinion and objectivity. "Today Ghana has lost a great son and we all mourn with the family for this loss and pray that the good Lord will grant them strength in these trying moments," he said.

Mr Lawrence Adjetey, eldest son of the late legal luminary, said his father died on Tuesday morning at the Korle Bu Teachng Hospital. He said his father went to Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital on Friday, July 11, 2008 for regular check up and again on Monday, July 14, 2008 to confirm his appointment for admission on Wednesday July 16, 2008 for surgery scheduled for Friday July 18, 2008.

"He was not rushed to the hospital; he went on his own," he said. He said at the hospital Mr Adjetey was told his blood pressure was a little higher than normal so he was admitted and put under observation but he died suddenly at about 0500 hours on July 15, 2008. Mr Adjetey, a celebrated lawyer and politician, was born in Accra on August 11, 1931 and he was the second Speaker of the Fourth Republic from January 2001-January 2005, after the late Mr Justice Daniel Francis Annan.

He was last seen in public on July three where he was among more than 200 people who were decorated with national honours.