Accra, Sept. 24, GNA - Finance Minister Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu has died, a statement from the presidency announced in Accra on Wednesday. The statement, signed by Mr Kwadwo Mpianim said Mr Baah-Wiredu passed away on Wednesday in a South Africa hospital after a short illness.

"The Government announces with deep sorrow and shock the death of Mr Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu, Minister of Finance and Economic Planning. "Mr Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu passed away today after a short illness in a South African Hospital," said the statement.

Mr Baah-Wiredu, 56, was born in Asante Akim Agogo. He started his secondary education at the Kumasi High School, Kumasi in 1967.

He obtained the GCE Ordinary Level Certificate in 1972 and sixth form education at Prempeh College, also in Kumasi. Mr Baah-Wiredu proceeded to the University of Ghana in 1974 and obtained a B.Sc in Administration (Accounting option). He did a four-year course with the Institute of Chartered Accountants, qualifying as a chartered accountant in 1985 Mr Baah-Wiredu worked at various positions with the now defunct Ghana Airways and the Volta River Authority and as a senior consultant to a computer company.

In addition, he was a partner in Asante Wiredu and Associates, an accounting firm, prior to being an MP. Baah Wiredu was one of the campaigners against the Union government (UNIGOV) concept put forward by General Acheampong's Supreme Military Council.

He joined the New Patriotic Party when it was formed in 1992 and became an MP in the 1997. He became a Minister in President Kufuor's government in 2001 and held the portfolios of Local Government and Rural Development (2001-2003); Education, Youth and Sports (2003-2005) and Finance and Economic Planning in 2005, a position he held till the time of his death.