Accra, Oct. 26, GNA - Mr Enock Teye Mensah, Minority Chief Whip, on Tuesday eulogised Mr Samuel Mankata, who died only six months after becoming the Member of Parliament for Odododiodio, saying he lived a fulfilling life.

"He lived a fulfilling life and we will remember him for making our lives richer and full."

Mr Mensah, also the member for Ningo Prampram, described the late Mankata as someone who won the hearts of many, even those opposed him ideologically.

Ms Theresa Tagoe, Member for Ablekuma South (NPP), said, "he looked like a giant but had a very soft heart. He believed in peace." Apparently referring to his virility and polygamous life, she said, "and he believed in women."

"God took you away because he does not want you to be polluted," she mourned.

Mr Jonathan Tackie Commey, the new member for Odododiodio, said his predecessor was, "a man of vision who selflessly served the Ga State".

He said Mr Mankata brought to the National Democratic Congress (NDC) organisational skills and political maturity after "he was expelled from the NPP".

The member whose maiden speech in Parliament had to be a tribute to his predecessor, said in his short spell as the MP for the area, he worked on numerous projects and rallied the people for development. According to Mr Commey, Mr Mankata renovated the famous Private Odartey Lamptey School, an educational facility built to honour one of the heroes of the 1948 Christianburgh Crossroad Shooting incident. Mr Mankata's political career had been clothed by ironies, which persisted even after his death.

He left the NPP after failing to secure the Party's parliamentary ticket for the 1996 Elections but won the seat in 2004 as the candidate of the NDC.

His son was recruited at the eleventh hour to stand on the NPP's ticket after his death but failed to win. 26 Oct. 05 =