Former Ghana VP dies after collapsing during workout session

Kwesi Amissah-Arthur, a former Vice-President of Ghana, died on Friday after collapsing during a workout session at the airforce gym in Accra.

Ghana News Agency reports that the 67-year-old was pronounced dead at the 37 Military Hospital where he was rushed to after he slumped.

Confirming the death, President Nana Akufo-Addo said the former VP contributed meaningfully to the progress of the country.

“I have learnt with shock and great sadness the sudden death of the former Vice President of the Republic, His Excellency Paa Kwesi Amissah Arthur,” he said.

“He has been a long standing public servant, who discharged his duties with dignity.

“The news of his death is unfortunate since he appeared to have a lot to contribute to the public life of our country.

“My thoughts and sympathies are with his wife, children and family. I extend my deepest condolences to them, and also to the former President of the Republic, His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, and to the National Democratic Congress, of which the former Vice President was a prominent member. Ghana has lost a fine public servant.”

The late Amissah-Arthur was Ghana’s sixth vice-president and served alongside ex-president John Dramani Mahama.

An economist and academician, the former VP lectured at the department of economics, Anambra State College of Education, between 1981 and 1983.

He also served as his country’s deputy finance minister and governor of the Bank of Ghana (BOG).

Amissah-Arthur is survived by a wife, Matilda and two children, Kwesi Nyan Amissah-Arthur and Araba Amissah-Arthur.