Accra, April 11, GNA -- Vice President John Atta Mills on Tuesday paid tribute to former Ambassador to Italy, Prof Eugene Bortei-Doku, who died in March this year, saying he would be greatly missed, especially for his contributions to agriculture.

Professor Mills told a delegation from the bereaved family that called at the Castle to formally announce Prof Bortei-Doku's death and the programme for his funeral that his death was a loss not only to the government but also to the University of Ghana where he played a pioneering role in developing the Faculty of Agriculture.

Prof Bortei-Doku served as the Secretary of Agriculture under the erstwhile Provisional National Defence Council. The eight-member delegation, led by Wor-Nii Botelabi Borkete-Laweh XIV, Chief of Nungua, included Dr J.L.S. Abbey, Executive Director of the Centre for Policy Analysis.

According to the funeral programme, burial will be at the Presbyterian cemetery on Saturday, April 15, while final rites will continue at his Nungua residence. The body will be laid in state from Friday to Saturday.

"He was unassuming and modest and certainly a source of inspiration to many colleague lecturers," said Prof Mills, onetime a senior lecturer at the University. Vice President Mills said Professor Bortei-Doku distinguished himself everywhere he found himself and called on Ghanaians, particularly people in authority, to emulate him by putting up their best to ensure success.

"We need to honour our heroes," he emphasised. Mr Nathan Quao, A presidential adviser and Mr Joseph Awa Laryea, Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister, also paid tributes to Prof Bortei-Doku, saying he rose fast to the top by dint of hardwork.