On Friday, 9th August 2024, a state burial was held for former Inspector General of Police, H. E. James Yalley Assuah Kwofie, at the forecourt of the parliament house.
Mr. Kofie, 84, passed away on May 2, 2024, after a long illness.
He served as IGP from 1990 to 1996 and later as Commissioner of the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (then Customs Excise and Preventive Service, CEPS).
In a touching sermon, Chaplain General of the Ghana Police Service, Deputy Commissioner of Police, the Very Reverend Father George Arthur, described the late IGP as a true leader during his days on earth who served in various capacities both in Ghana and out of the country with credit as a loyal and selfless son of the land.
According to him, the nation needs useful and not successful leaders, adding that God gives his power, wealth, and position to mankind to help others who don’t know Him come to the knowledge of Him through the blessings given to those who are in good standing with Him.
“God gives his power, wealth, and position that we may know Him and make Him known to others by our words, actions, and love for humanity; a time is coming where no man can work,” he said.
According to him, Mr. Kwofie’s life exemplifies the importance of a leader focussing on sacrificing for others, leaving numerous landmarks at the Ghana Police Service, particularly prioritising the happiness of people.
“Every well-meaning leader aims to accomplish a remarkable role and a bow for his followers. We are to live in sacrifice for others down for ourselves. We should always target future generations in all our considerations, all our decisions, and all our actions. Mr. Kwofie did the same for the Ghana Police Service and the then CEPs in particular and the nation at large,” he furthered.
“Mr. Kwofie was committed to his set goals. Albert Einstein once said, If you want to live a happy life, tie it to a goal and not to people or anything.” Very Rev. Fr. Arthur said.
The Reverend Minister disclosed that the late IGP was the longest-serving IGP the country has, as he called on Ghanaians to eschew selfishness and greed and mentor others to take up leadership roles. Further, he eulogised him for the mentoring role he played in the lives of some present and past officers of the service.
“He was the longest serving IGP in the history of Ghana, and he was a good mentor such that three of his immediate staff, his paymaster General Nana Owusu Nsiah and Mr. James Oppong Buanu, and the current IGP, Dr. George Akuffo Dampare, were later appointed IGPs. Mr. Kwofie was a good mentor and motivator. Let’s eschew selfishness and groom people to take over leadership positions. We will one day live in office; in fact, prepare your office for your successor because soon you will leave either compulsory or by death,” he admonished.
Mr. J. Y. A. Kwofie left behind a wife and seven children.
The funeral was attended by several dignitaries, including the Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the Interior Minister, Mr. Henry Quartey, the National Security Minister, Mr. Albert Kan Dapaah, the Greater Accra Regional Minister, Hon. Titus Glover, and the GRA Commissioner-General, Ms. Julie Essiam, among others.
Dr. Bawumia donated GHC 50,000 to the late IGP’s family.
A Thanksgiving Service was also held in Mr. Kwofie’s honour on Sunday, 11th August 2024, at the Ghana Police Church in Accra.
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