BY Daniel Bampoe
Former Vice President and 2024 New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential candidate, Mahamudu Bawumia, has led a high-powered delegation of party executives and supporters to Akyem Oda in the Eastern Region to mourn the late Maxwell Kofi Anti, popularly known as Kofi Nti, an aide to the Member of Parliament for Akyem Oda, Alexander Akwasi Acquah.
The solemn gathering, which brought together party faithful from across the constituency, the Eastern Region and other parts of the country, formed part of the one-week observation and funeral rites held in honour of the deceased, whose sudden passing has shocked members of the NPP and residents of Akyem Oda.
The event attracted a large turnout of political leaders, constituency executives, family members, sympathisers and grassroots supporters who gathered to pay their final respects to a man many described as a dedicated party activist and committed servant of the constituency.
Dr. Bawumia, who has publicly expressed sadness over the death of Kofi Nti, joined the bereaved family and party leadership to offer condolences and solidarity during the difficult period.
The late Kofi Nti was widely known within the Akyem Oda NPP fraternity for his commitment to organisational work, particularly in the area of information technology and grassroots mobilisation.
During interactions with the family and mourners, Dr. Bawumia paid tribute to the deceased, describing him as a humble, hardworking and selfless individual who devoted considerable time and energy to advancing the activities of the party in the constituency.
The former Vice President noted that Kofi Nti’s contributions went beyond routine political work, emphasizing that he had become a dependable figure within the local party structure and earned the respect of both party executives and grassroots supporters.
His death has been particularly painful for party members because it occurred while he was carrying out responsibilities related to the party’s ongoing internal electoral processes.
Kofi Nti lost his life in a tragic road accident while monitoring the New Patriotic Party’s polling station executive elections, an exercise considered critical to the party’s reorganization efforts ahead of future political contests.
The circumstances surrounding the accident have deepened the sense of loss among party faithful, many of whom described his passing as a sacrifice made in service to the party.
Speaking on behalf of the constituency executives, the Akyem Oda NPP Constituency Organizer, David Okyere, popularly known as Okyeman, praised the late party activist for his loyalty and commitment.
He described Kofi Nti as a hardworking and dependable member of the NPP who consistently supported party programmes and played a key role in strengthening the party’s grassroots structures within the constituency.
According to him, the deceased served diligently in various capacities and contributed significantly to the growth and operational effectiveness of the party at the local level.
He noted that his death has created a vacuum that will be difficult to fill, given the important role he played in coordinating activities and supporting constituency leadership.
The gathering also provided an opportunity for party executives, supporters and friends to share personal memories and experiences about the late Kofi Nti.
Many speakers remembered him as a committed grassroots mobilizer whose dedication to party activities earned him admiration across different levels of the organization.
Others described him as approachable, respectful and always willing to assist whenever called upon to serve.
Prayers were offered for the peaceful repose of his soul, while mourners expressed hope that his legacy of commitment and service would inspire younger party members.
The visit to Akyem Oda formed part of a broader schedule undertaken by Dr. Bawumia in the Eastern Region on Monday, June 9.
After participating in the funeral observation, the former Vice President also travelled to Akyem Wenchi to commiserate with former Eastern Regional Chairman of the NPP and former Member of Parliament for Akwatia Kiston Akomeah Kissi over the passing of his wife.
The dual engagements created what many party members described as a day of mixed emotions, combining grief over the loss of dedicated party members and family relations with renewed calls for unity and mutual support within the NPP family.
