We the members of New Patriotic Party UK and Ireland are still reeling in a deep sense of shock over the untimely death of Major (Rtd) Courage Quashigah in Israel. Words cannot express how much of a loss Courage's demise has been to our party. In his eight years as a minister of state Courage's sense of good judgement, loyalty to the party and government and his sense of purpose were very visible for all to see. A complete gentleman and a "beautiful man" as someone once described him, Courage was considered to be one of the party's most prized assets.

We in UK and Ireland of the Danquah-Busia-Dombo fraternity recall with a sense of pride, the courage and self devotion of a man who defied the PNDC in the 1980s and joined the fight against the culture of silence to put the NPP at the top of his priority since 1992. As the party's National Organiser from 1998-2001, Courage is credited with the formation of the polling station concept being the lowest level of organisation in the Party. He with the help of Hon. Dan Botwe, the then General Secretary, travelled round the country to train party agents and polling station officers to ensure victory for the Party in the 2000 general elections.

Today we mourn with our mother Party in Ghana the loss of a true foot soldier, whose sense of patriotism and understanding of strategy for winning elections stand tall for all to see. We mourn the loss of a true son of Ghana, a true political leader and a great inspirer. Our thoughts and condolences go to his family who undoubtedly has lost a husband, a father, an uncle and indeed a pillar.

Courage has left us a year on since our nation committed a mass political suicide and usherred us into a "Bitter Ghana" under the NDC. A year on when our party is recovering from a shocking election defeat and we are in the process of reflection and rebuilding of our party in order to regain power and we can only honour his name by working even harder to realise the ideals he fought for. Let us all use Courage's death as the rallying point to unite all factions in our political landscape and use this unity to fight for power and celebrate his life which we consider to be a gift from God.

We thank his family for giving us a son in the name of Courage and thank God for blessing our nation with such a talent. We sincerely believe that history will judge him as a patriot, the brave soldier, politician and indeed great man in Ghana's modern political history. May his soul rest in Peace.

FAREWELL COURAGE!!

Hayford Atta-Krufi CHAIRMAN

(for and on behalf of NPP UK & Ireland)