Accra, July 18, GNA 96 The New Patriotic Party (NPP) on Tuesday sent a message of condolence to the family of Mr Justice Daniel Francis Annan, who died away last Sunday, aged 77.

In a statement signed by the NPP General Secretary, Nana Ohene Ntow, the Party noted: 93Mr Annan's death, despite his long illness, is a blow to those who recognise the role he played in ushering in the current democratic dispensation.'

The NPP noted that Mr Justice Annan was chairman of the National Commission for Democracy (NCD), which was charged with ascertaining Ghanaians' preference between the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC) military rule and a return to civilian administration.

'He acted fairly and responsibly in faithfully reporting Ghanaians' preference for democratic governance after touring the country with his Commission.'

It is a credit to him that in performing this exercise as he did - by his readiness to accept the popular will of the Ghanaian people for democratic rule - Justice Annan allowed himself to be impelled by his commitment to the liberal democratic values of his Danquah-Busia antecedents.=94

The NPP said Mr Justice Annan was admired by Members of Parliament on both sides of the House when he was Speaker and many Ghanaians found him personable.

'The NPP will miss him for, at least, being a moderating influence on the PNDC of which he was a member.'