Accra, May 16, GNA - Members of Parliament on Wednesday dropped all partisan considerations to eulogize the late Madam Hawa Ogede Yakubu, Second National Vice-Chairperson of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), describing her as a tower of strength who fought for peace and national development.

The MP's were unanimous in calling the loss of Madam Hawa, as she was fondly called, a real loss not only to her constituents whom she once represented but, to the entire country.

These were in contribution to a tribute to the late former MP by Mrs Gifty E. Kusi, NPP-Tarkwa-Nsuem.

She said Madam Hawa carved a niche for herself as one of the finest political juggernauts in the first Parliament of the Fourth Republic when she was elected in 1993 as the only independent member. Mrs Kusi said many who were with Madam Hawa in the Consultative Assembly of 1991 for could attest to her untiring commitment and dedication to the struggle for the return to true civilian democracy after the overthrown of Dr Hilla Limann in 1981.

"A champion of equal justice for men and women, she was entrenched in the pursuit of uplifting the lot of Ghanaian women in particular and African women in general," Mrs Kusi said, adding, " this explains why she broke barriers to help all manner of women who were in need and did not allow religious, ethnic, status or political considerations to repress her." Mrs Kusi outlined her activities right from her membership of the Ghanaian Parliament to the ECOWAS Parliament where she distinguished herself and fought for greater regional integration of the people of the sub-region. Mrs Kusi said her death was a big loss to the NPP and Ghana and must be constantly remembered.

Mr Joseph Yieleh Chireh, NDC- Wa West urged the nation to go beyond mourning Madam Hawa and suggested the establishment of a Hawa Foundation in her honour and to keep the fond memories that the nation has of her. "If we consider her ideas as something special and if we believe in all that she stood for, then I suggest we go beyond mourning or grieving for her a nd support the formation of a Foundation that has been mooted."

He called on all to take inspiration from her life and see her death not as a loss, but an opportunity to raise similar people to take over from where she left off.

Mr Edward Kodjo Salia, NDC-Jirapa in his contribution noted that he had known Madam Hawa since the 1970's when she was the Domestic Bursar at the Navrongo Secondary School and he, the Managing Director of the Upper East Development Company.

"She was kind, selfless and worked so hard you could not ignore her." He said it was unfortunate to lose her when all indications were that she was destined to go much higher on the political ladder. Captain Nkrabeah Effah-Dartey, NPP-Berekum, noted that he came into contact with her personally when as the then Minister of Tourism, he invited her to visit Berekum.

"During the visit, she struck me as a very powerful person who knew what she was going at. Ghana has lost a gem and a Ghanaian through and through who was not moved by things that came her way. Many Ghanaian women must learn from her," he added.

Mr Hackman Owusu-Agyeman, Minister of Water Resources, Works and Housing said she was a darling to all, describing her as a politician par excellence.

Mr Mahama Ayariga, NDC- Bawku Cantral, who defeated Madam Hawa for her seat in 2004 did not mince words when he said they learnt a lot from her political dexterity.

She was an astute politician who set very high standards and we had to work hard to meet them.

He said the people of Bawku Central from the entire political divide would forever remember her, stressing that this was evident in the number of people from all walks of life who thronged Pusiga to pay their last respects.

"I wish to state that w e from Bawku central would forever remember her for her selfless service to the state that gave her so many pluses including the state burial and the international exposure she, through her activities, gave the area."

Hajia Alima Mahama, Minister of Women and Children's Affairs said Madam Hawa would be remembered most for her dedication to the promulgation and workings toward the passage of the Domestic Violence Bill, which seeks to give equal and unfettered rights to women from all backgrounds. "I wish to call on women of this country to see in her a reason to overcome political and social hurdles and fight to enter politics where they can work to bring about change, especially where women are concerned."

Mr Joseph Kofi Adda, Minister of Energy praised Madam Hawa for blazing the trail, leaving such indelible prints on Ghana's political life.

He urged all Ghanaians to be grateful for her life for her role not only in national life, "but for the significant role in bringing about development in Navrongo for individuals and institutions alike." "Madam Hawa loved peace and worked for it and some of us can tell by her encouragement that we work towards peace and ensure that we work for the good of Ghana," Mr Haruna Iddrisu, NDC-Tamale South said in his contribution, noting that the late MP left a legacy of bridging the gap of development between the developed south and the underdeveloped north. He expressed regret that the nation recognized people only in their death and expressed the hope that the lives of people can be acknowledged.

He also urged the nation to use the non-partisan attendance at her funeral as a unifying point to move the nation forward, "for the late Madam Hawa Yakubu loved and worked for peace, which should inspire us all." 16 May 07