Have, (V/R), Oct 9, GNA 96 Mr Napoleon Kpoh, General Secretary of Industrial and Commercial Workers Union (ICU), was on Saturday at his hometown, Have-Domefe in the Volta Region honoured as a hero for winning many local and international awards.

The guns boomed from the background, drumming and singing and recitation of appellations charged the durbar grounds and talcum powder was liberally sprinkled on him to signify victory.

Amidst that enthusiasm and joy Mr Kpoh was ushered in to receive the honour to what he called his humble home town where he began life as a poor boy and struggled through the thick and thin to become a hero in the technologically advanced world when 40 years ago he had cried and toiled to get a pencil to write with at school.

Mr Kpoh so mesmerized about the treatment being given to his people said, "I am dumbfounded. I am lost for words. This drew tears on to the face of many.

He said; "I was born into a rich but poor family. My mother was born to a rich father, who was polygamous. My father was rich a young man - he was polygamous.

"So the riches were gone before I could enjoy my part of the share. From both sides of my parentage, I was brought up with a constant reminder to lead an honest and truthful life. When I grew up and started working, I was advised and kept reminded unceasingly that hard work does not kill and, therefore, I should take my work seriously.=94 Questioned to get further and how he went through life, tears rolled up Mr Kpoh's eyes and he said: There is so much to tell but so little time to narrate it.

When he completed Middle School he took part time studies and evening classes and by the dint of hard work has earned laurels. Mr Kpoh had received the West Africa Noble's Forum Award 2006; the Cambridge International College's Highest Award of AMBA, and several Trades Unions Awards and from the International Labour Organisation.

Togbe Krakani Apawu XI, Chief of Have-Domefe, described Mr Kpoh as an illustrious son of the area and a courageous one who had believed and lived with the axiom that the truth could not sink under avalanche of falsehood.

Mr Solomon Kotei, Deputy General Secretary of the ICU, said of Mr Kpoh, 'We in the ICU are proud of you and of your noble leadership and we will always remember you for standing up for the truth and your fight to achieve excellence'.

Many gifts and citations were bestowed on Mr Kpoh. 9 Oct. 06