Accra, May 25, GNA - New Patriotic Party (NPP) functionaries on Thursday poured into the residence of the late Emeritus Professor Albert Kwadwo Adu Boahen, one of Ghana's most renowned historians, to mourn with the bereaved family.

He died on Wednesday night at the 37 Military Hospital in Accra at the age of 74 after a protracted illness. He was on admission at the hospital for a couple of years, after he suffered a stroke in 2001. A visit by the Ghana News Agency (GNA) to his residence at the Airport Residential Area saw family members, NPP party functionaries and sympathisers clad in mourning clothes.

Mr Peter Mac Manu, NPP Chairman, told the GNA that the party had lost one of its greatest pillars and foundation on which the party rested and fell on for advice.

"One of the heartbeats of the party is gone and the party is in deep mourning," he added.

Mr Mac Manu described the late Emeritus Prof. of history as "a brave, truthful, statesman, intellectual, bold and courageous son who broke the culture of silence to stifle freedom of speech." "It is due to his bravery that the country is enjoying the current democratic dispensation."

He was the presidential candidate of the NPP that lost the 1992 election to President Jerry Rawlings, which triggered the publication of the "Stolen Verdict".

Mr Mac Manu equated the Emeritus Prof. to the biblical John the Baptist who prepared the way for the Lord Jesus. "He prepared the way for our President J A Kufuor and the party will forever be grateful." Mr Felix Owusu-Adjapong, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, described the late Emeritus Prof. Adu Boahen as the bosom of the party that members would love to have around and fall on for advice.

He also equated him to the biblical Moses who led the Israelites to the Promised Land but never got there himself.

Mr Owusu-Adjapong, who is also the Majority Leader in Parliament, was accompanied by Mr Osei Kyei Mensah-Bonsu, Majority Chief Whip and Member of Parliament for Suame and Mrs Gifty Kusi, Member of Parliament for Tarkwa Nsuaem and Second Deputy Majority Whip.

Alhaji Malik Alhassan Yakubu, Member of Parliament for Yendi and Second Deputy Speaker, described the late Emeritus Prof. as "a brilliant scholar, an unassuming man who sought quality in all things". "He was a fearless defender of what is true and just and the nation has lost a great man".

Mrs Gladys Asmah, Minister of State in charge of Fisheries, said the late Adu Boahen had left pages of history and the children of the country would forever remember him.

Mr Kwabena Oduro-Frikyi, head of the family, told the GNA that the death of Emeritus Prof. Adu Boahen coincided with his 74th birthday. He described the death as a great loss not only to the nation but also to his family where he had been a great backbone. He described him as a disciplinarian, sensitive, compassionate and jovial.

"We never heard him showing disrespect to any family member and will forever miss him". Emeritus Prof. Adu Boahen left behind a wife and five children. 25 May 06