Former President John Agyekum Kufour has paid tribute to the late Dr. Jones Akwasi Amoako Atta Ofori-Atta, a founding member of the New Patriotic Party and a Deputy Finance Minister in the year 1969.

Giving the tribute during a memorial ceremony held at the Great Hall of the University of Ghana for the late Statesman, Mr. Agyekum Kufour said; "I am truly shaken by the sad demise of my contemporary and colleague politician, Dr. Jones Ofori-Atta, affectionately called Akwasi Jones...His zeal and dynamism in party work was just infectious. He once tried, but unsuccessfully, to lead the New Patriotic Party as its flagbearer in 1996. His credentials in the service of the tradition however, cannot be impugned. No wonder his political mantle, even before his regrettable departure, fell on his son, Ken, currently the Finance Minister of Ghana."

The former President further extended his "deepest condolences to the widow, children, and other family members. Dr. Akwasi Jones Ofori-Atta, I wish you well in this final journey, and may you rest in the bottom of the Almighty God. Akwasi Jones, Damirifa Due! Due ne Amanehunu!!"

The former Speaker of Parliament, Aaron Mike Oquaye also eulogized Dr. Ofori-Atta, saying "Dr. Jones Ofori-Atta had an enviable pedigree yet was a public servant simpliciter. He understood, engaged in and lived for public affairs - res publica. It should be clearly appreciated that his special quality is capable of being an innate genetical trait and may also be acquired or shaped further by environment.

"...Dr. Ofori-Atta was a renowned Deputy Finance Minister and would have become Finance Minister but for our political instability. His son occupies the position today considering his competence and love for public affairs. Our beloved departed was one of about 100 children of the late Nana Sir Ofori-Atta I with 44 wives. These women represented various chiefdoms within the kingdom and it was also a legitimate political strategy at his time...Dr. Jones Ofori-Atta, you are a true son of Tradition, carefully crafted to churn out excellence. You came, you saw, you conquered!"

About Dr. Jones Ofori-Atta

Dr. Jones Akwasi Amoako Atta Ofori-Atta (Okyehene Ba) was a two-time Member of Parliament for Begoro constituency from 1969 to 1972 and 1979 to 1981.

He also served as Deputy Minister of Finance from 1969 to 1972 and later became the First Non-Professor Elected Dean Of the Faculty Of Social Studies from 1975 to 1979.

He further became the Economic Advisor of the Central Bank of Uganda from 1981 to 1991 and a Resident Scholar of Institute of Economic Affairs from the year 1993 to 1997.

Dr. Ofori-Atta is a founding member of the Progress Party, Popular Front Party and the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP).