Lolobi-Kumasi (V/R), May 8, GNA - Liberia has presented the "Order of the Star of Africa" award, to the late Reverend Father Damian Yawo Kwashie, for his distinguished and meritorious service to mankind, especially to the people of Liberia.

Ms Angela A. N. Lavela, a First Secretary, of the Liberian Embassy, in Ghana, presented the award on behalf of Liberian President Ellen Sirleaf Johnson.

Rev. Fr Kwashie (1950-1990), a Catholic Priest, was on missionary duties in as the parish priest of Saint Joseph's Church, Greenville County, when he was ambushed and killed on July 27, 1990, by rebels. He was on his way to his out-stations in the Sinoe County, during the Liberian crisis.

Ms Lavela said, "Fr Kwashie laid down his life for the people of Liberia; he died for the sake of Liberia; and in fact put his life on the line; all in attempts to bring some form of comfort to those displaced by the war."

"The Liberian government, the Church and its people are appreciative of his unalloyed courage, life examples and services rendered in that country and with the sincerest gesture, 'say thank you,' by immortalizing his memory with a state award by President Sirleaf and the Grand Master of the said Order during the 161st Independence Day ceremonies."

Ms Lavela advocated the strengthening of the bilateral relations between her country and Ghana towards making them beacons of hope to the rest of Africa.

"Let's continue to build on our long standing relationship politically, economically, socially and culturally, to the mutual benefit of our countries," she said.

The Most Rev. Francis Kofi Anani Lodonu, Bishop of the Ho Diocese, said Fr Kwashie, who joined the priesthood in 1978, in Jasikan, distinguished himself as a good shepherd, who cared for his flock, an admirable administrator, a tireless worker and a lively teacher. He said "Fr Kwashie would forever be remembered as an energetic priest with an outstanding sense of humour and wits both in Ghana and Liberia."

Bishop Lodonu said "everybody who does well always would be remembered not only on earth but also in heaven", adding, "do good to your neighbour and eschew egocentrism tendencies.

Rev. Fr Andrew Sieh, Cathedral Administrator of Cape Palmas Diocese and special envoy from Liberia, said Fr Kwashie exemplified modesty, humility, and hard work but met his untimely death while seeking humanitarian relief for war victims who had beseeched his church. He eulogized his achievements to include the establishment of the Progressive High School in Liberia with the support from the community of which he was the headmaster and a new parish, which resulted in the community naming him after a vocational institute after his demise. Mr Victor Hermann Condobrey, Hohoe Municipal Chief Executive, paid glowing tribute to the cordial relationship between Ghana and Liberia dating back to the colonial era, which he said was being cemented for their mutual benefits.

He appealed to the Liberian government through its Embassy in Ghana to replicate the gesture of building a similar vocational institute to honour his memory in his native land.

Mr Kosmos Yawo Kwashie, the twin brother of Fr Kwashie dressed in a rich Kente cloth received the medallion on behalf of his brother. Mr Anthony Atsu Norviewu, a representative of the family thanked the Liberian President and the people of that country for the gesture, urging all to take a cue from the exemplary leadership lifestyle of Fr Kwashie to affect society in a positive way.