Dr Hilla Limann ...Thanks Be To God!! Dr Hilla Limann...Thanks Be To God!!! Dr Hilla Limann... Thanks Be To God!!! These were the solemn words that echoed through the serene Accra Ridge Church on Sunday January 22, as members of the Former President's family, friends, sympathizers, politicians and a cross-section of the public congregated to celebrate the eighth anniversary of his death.
"You never know when your time is coming. Like birds suddenly caught in a trap. Like fish caught in a net. We are trapped at some evil moment. When we least expect it" (Ecclesiastes 9:12)
The Preacher Man of the Bible inscribed the above food for thought, which amply described the demise of the Former President, when death laid its icy hands on him at the age of 64 years at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital on January 23, 1998.
THE MAN DR LIMANN
Described by friends and political opponents as incorruptible, strong, firm and affable gentleman, father and husband was born on December 12, 1934 in Gwellu in the Upper West Region and had his early schooling at Lawra and Tamale Teacher Training College. Trained as an Economist at the London School of Economics and as a Historian, Political Scientist and a scholar in the French language at the Sorbonne, France.
Before becoming President from 1979 to 1981, Dr Limann served in the Foreign Service for many years with postings to Lome, Togo, Geneva and Switzerland.
Eight years on as family members, friends and sympathizers gathered to commemorate his passing away. It was time for sober reflections and a recap of the events in 1998.
NKRUMAISTS PARTIES SPEAKS OUT
The Nkrumaists parties in 1998 express shock at Former President Limann's death as close associates and members of the Nkrumah political tradition described as a "shock" and a "surprise".
In separate interviews with the GNA in Accra on January 24, 1998, Dr Limann's friends and Party members said although they had been aware of his failing health, his death was not expected so soon.
They described Dr Limann as honest and dedicated to the well-being of the country and criticized the then National Democratic Congress (NDC) Government for not "doing much to ensure his welfare".
Professor Mawusi Dake, an Nkrumaists Spokesman said; "his passing away is a shock to us... It must spur us on to achieve unity among the ranks of the Nkrumaists. That is the greatest tribute we can pay to him.
"He will be remembered most for his honest and dedicated leadership without counting the cost ... nothing adverse was found against him.... He reminded us of the ideals of Dr Nkrumah," Prof Dake said.
Mr Ebo Tawiah, a Chief Negotiator of the Unity Talks, said: "We think we have lost a stalwart ... the whole nation has lost a great man. He was committed to the things that he believed in ... he was steadfast and could not be swayed from his course."
Professor Ivan Addae-Mensah, then Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ghana, described Dr Limann as having a deep sense of patriotism and democracy.
Prof Addae-Mensah, who was the General-Secretary of the People's National Party (PNP) of which Dr Limann was the leader, said his former Leader would not have anything to do with corruption.
"He may not have had enough time to show of his full capabilities ... he may have been seen by some as being too slow ... but he was honest and worked for the good of his country."
He said Dr Limann's deep sense of democracy and his assumption of office after a hectic military era might have given some people the perception that he was a "weak leader".
"But he was not and l enjoyed working with him very much," Prof Addae-Mensah said.
Prof George Hagan, Former Convention People's Party Presidential Candidate, said Dr Limann was not given enough time to prove what he could do for the nation.
"Within the short time that he was in power he proved what hard work and dedication to democratic principles could bring to the nation.
"That he was not given his full pension must be a disgrace to all of us as a nation. It is about time that as a nation we gave due respect and recognition to people who laid down their lives to serve us," he said.
NPP JOINS TO MOURN WITH ITS POLITICAL OPPONENT
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) described Dr Limann as a "decent, humane person against whom all allegations of corruption foundered" and said the nation would miss his contribution to public life.
In a statement signed by Mr J. Agyenim-Boateng, then General Secretary, the Party said it had learnt with sadness the death of Dr Limann.
"Even though an Nkrumaist and political opponent of the NPP and its forebears, Dr Limann enjoyed cordial relations with the leaders of the NPP and the Danquah-Busia tradition."
Dr Limann, who defeated Mr Victor Owusu of the Popular Front Party (PFP), the forebear of the NPP, in 1979, was overthrown in a coup led by the then Flight-Lieutenant Jerry John Rawlings on December 31, 1981.
The NPP statement said: "The events of 31st December 1981 can now be seen by all as an unnecessary, costly intervention in our people's search for a durable, democratic system of government.
"To Dr Limann's credit, despite loss of office, he never lost his faith and commitment to the liberal democratic ideal.
"The NPP joins the nation in expressing its sincere condolences to the widow, Mrs Fulera Limann and the family, the Peoples National Convention (PNC) and the entire Nkrumaist family."
NDC MAKES FACE SAVING GESTURES The then ruling NDC government, that was alleged to have neglected the Former President Limann and denying him his full pension benefits quickly offered to give him a State burial in Accra for him. A government delegation announced during a call on the bereaved family at their Teshie-Nungua residence.
The 12-man delegation led by Alhaji Mahama Iddrissu, then Minister of Defence, said the State would bear all expenses of the funeral, including airlifting of his relations from Gwellu, his hometown, in the Sissala District of the Upper West Region to Accra.
Alhaji Iddrissu said the death of the Former President was not a loss to the family alone, but a great loss to the whole nation pledged that the Government would play its full role.
He expressed the personal sympathies of the then President Rawlings, the government and the people of Ghana to the family.
Alhaji Huudu Yahaya, then General Secretary of the NDC, described Dr Limann as a "father to all" and said his death and burial should transcend partisan politics. "His death is a blow to the whole nation", he added.
Mr Nelson Agbesi, a Minister of Agriculture under President Limann, expressed deep sorrow on behalf of all Ministers, who served in the Third Republic when he called at the Limann residence to sympathise with the widow and the bereaved family.
PARLIAMENTARY CALL
Parliament was not left out of the state of shock and mourning as a 13- member Parliamentary Delegation led by Mr J. H. Owusu-Acheampong, then Majority Leader, called on the Limann family on January 27, to pledge Parliament's support towards the funeral of the President of the Third Republic of Ghana.
He gave the pledge when the delegation made up of representatives of all political parties in the House called on the wife and family of the President Limann to console and sympathise with them.
"Indeed it is a sad day for our nation to lose the only surviving Ex-President of our nation. On behalf of the Speaker, the entire members and staff of Parliament, I wish to express our condolences to the family."
Members of the Supreme Council of Nkrumaist, led by Mr Kojo Botsio, a Co-founder of the Council, were also at the house to express their condolences.
Mr K. Amuah-Awuah, Spokesman for the council, said Dr Limann was very instrumental in the formation and work of the Council with Mr Kojo Botsio as the other co-founder.
He said the Council would liaise with the funeral committee to give the late president a befitting funeral.
Other Nkrumaists present were the Rev M. A Gokah, Mr K. O. Thompson and Mr Vincent Bulla.
The man, Dr Limann lives on as his legacy is written in gold with the birth of the LIMANN FOUNDATION, a non-governmental organization to promote democracy.