Accra, March 24, GNA - The ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) on Saturday opened a Book of Commiseration for the late Madam Hawa Yakubu. "In recognition of our first National Vice Chairperson's death, which was reported in London on Tuesday 21st March, 2007 all flags at NPP offices would fly at half mast," a statement signed by Nana Ohene-Ntow, NPP General Secretary stated.

The statement noted that the bereaved family and the party would jointly announce the funeral arrangements later.

According to the statement, Madam Yakubu was highly regarded within the ranks of the NPP, and this was demonstrated by the overwhelming endorsement at the party's delegates congress in December 2005, where she was elected as the Vice Chairperson.

Madam Yakubu, popularly known as "Iron Lady" for her resilience, forthrightness, determination to fight, died in a London Hospital after a battle with cancer.

She was a former MP for Bawku Central, Minister of Tourism and Member of the ECOWAS Parliament.

Madam Yakubu, a native of Pusiga in the Upper East Region, was born in Tarkwa in the Western Region on March 24, 1948 to Mr Yakubu Awinaba and Hajia Azore.

She had four children -- two sons, Felix (who passed away in 2000) and Derek during her first marriage to Mr Amadu Ayebo and two daughters, Amanda and Dieudonne, during her second marriage to defunct Nigeria Airways pilot Hodge Ogede.