Lawmakers Eulogies late Mark Woyongo
Members of Parliament on Wednesday paid glowing tribute to a former colleague, Mark Owen Woyongo, the late former Member of Parliament for Navrongo Central, between 2013 t0 2017 and formerly Minister for Defence.
He also served the nation as a former Minister of Interior, Minister for Defence and the Upper East Regional Minister.
Mr. Woyongo who died on 17th January, and will be next month, April 2024.
Mr. Samson Tangombu Chiragia, the incumbent Member of Parliament (MP) for Navrongo Central, in a statement on the floor of the House in honour of the late Mr. Woyongo, said the former MP had indeed fought a great fight, finished the race and kept the faith as a man of peace.
He said Mr. Woyongo had served as the MP for Navrongo Central for a full term (2013 to 2017).
“As a Regional Minister, Hon Woyongo, with his humility and personal commitment to peace, championed the peaceful talks in Bawku. His efforts to maintain peace between the Mamprusi’s and the Kusasi’s was evident for all to see. Hon. Woyongo remained committed to peace in Bawku even in his last days on earth,” he said.
He said during his time in Parliament and after leaving Parliament, Woyongo work hard including farming to help sustain the country food security.
“Mr. Speaker, upon leaving Parliament and the Executive, Hon. Woyongo returned to the long loved profession of farming. I am happy to state that, his decision to go to the Yagba Kobori area contributed in attracting notable personalities into the area to venture into commercial farming. He loved his farming to the extent that, even with ill health, he always insisted on going to the farm. The Soo community, the chief and his elders, men, women and children, will forever remember and cherish Hon Woyongo because he brought so much life to the community. The women found income earning jobs to support their families from his farms,” Mr Chiragia added.
Alhassan Suhuyini Sayibu, the NDC MP for Tamale North, said the late Mr Woyongo’s contributions to the growth of the Media and politics in Ghana could not be overlooked; saying
“He served the Party that I belong to the best of his ability, and also served this country in all the capacities that he was put in our government. Apart from that, he is the one who gave the me the opportunity to work in his Media House, Diamond Radio in Tamale and encouraged me to join Radio Gold. So I am proud to say he played a major part in my professional work as a Journalist and as a politician, “Suhuyini said.
Mr. Thomas Adda Dalu, MP for Chiana/Paga, in his contribution said: “Mr Woyongo was a humble man, a hard-working man and a great politician. He paid his dues and the people of Navrongo and Upper East would remember him.
He said he was a District Chief Executive for Kassena/Nankana West and work under Woyongo as the then Regional Minister and Woyongo played a major role in restoring peace in the region.
“He is known as a man of wisdom and someone who will speak his mind regardless, and as a result in most times that we have to take decisions his name has featured.”
He urged Ghanaians to emulate the late Mr Woyongo way of living by principles.
Other MPs who contributed to the statement eulogized Mr. Woyongo for his free minded thoughts, respect for all and humility.
Full Statement
TRIBUTE TO HON. MARK OWEN WOYONGO, FORMER MINISTER OF STATE AND FORMER MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT FOR NAVRONGO CENTRAL BY Hon Sampson Tangombu Chiragia, MP Navrongo Central
Thank you, Rt Hon Speaker for the opportunity to pay tribute to a former Member of this House and former Minister of State, Hon Mark Owen Woyongo.
Mr Speaker, Hon. Woyongo was born on June 9, 1946 in Nayagenia, Karania in Navrongo of the Upper East Region. Growing up, Mark was a quiet and gentle boy, who only concerned himself with his spiritual and educational life, and never got himself into any trouble.
Hon. Woyongo had his primary and middle school education in Navrongo and attended Notre Dame Seminary Secondary School for his secondary education. He further pursued his professional programme in Journalism at the Ghana Institute of Journalism. He pursued a course in message development training, rural reporting, population and communication (all at the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA), a management course at CARNEGIE Institute in London, a Financial Management Course at GEN Consult and a Senior Executive Development course at MDPI.
Hon. Woyongo started his working life as a pupil teacher and later as a reporter for the newspaper ‘Kasem Labaare’ and subsequently an editor of the same newspaper. Hon. Woyongo was employed at the Information Services Department (ISD) in 1974 in Tamale. He was later transferred to the then Upper Region as Information Officer and seconded to the Regional Coordinating Council as Public Relations Officer. By dint of hard work and diligence, he was promoted to the position of Regional Information Officer.
Mr Speaker, Hon. Woyongo distinguished himself in his career, and his excellence and intelligence put him above his peers leading to his promotion and secondment to the Ghana High Commission, London – UK from 1994 to 2001as a Minister Counsellor – Information. His home in London was a home for every Ghanaian, whether resident or visitor.
He returned to Ghana in 2001 and was appointed the Deputy Director in Charge of Information at ISD and later became the Deputy Director in Charge of Finance and Administration.
With a zeal in promoting quality information flow, he established Makemba Broadcasting Company, operators of Diamond FM in Tamale in 2002.
Hon. Woyongo was development oriented and so down to earth. He was not comfortable to see his people in poor conditions, lacking basic amenities and helpless. In order to offer his wealth of service, he ventured into politics. After his retirement from the Civil Service, he unsuccessfully contested parliamentary elections for the Navrongo Central Constituency on the ticket of the NDC in 2008. He was however appointed the Upper East Regional Minister in 2009 by President John Evans Atta Mills upon the return of the NDC Party to power.
As a Regional Minister, Hon Woyongo, with his humility and personal commitment to peace, championed the peaceful talks in Bawku. His efforts to maintain peace between the Mamprusi’s and the Kusasi’s was evident for all to see. Hon. Woyongo remained committed to peace in Bawku even in his last days on earth. I wish to use this opportunity to call on our beloved brothers and sisters in Bawku, to give peace a chance as a tribute in honour of Hon Woyongo.
In his desire to further serve the people of Navrongo, he presented himself again, on the ticket of the NDC, to contest the 2012 election to represent the people of Navrongo Central in Parliament which he won and served the good people of Navrongo Central from 2013 to 2016.
His developmental agenda, commenced even before he won the parliamentary elections. But the tempo of development was accelerated after his election. His pliability, disposition and sturdy persistence won him many successes in the quest to develop his constituency. With support from his Government, he made strides in the areas of education, health, water, roads, electricity, and small businesses, among others.
Mr. Speaker, Hon. Woyongo served this country in many capacities. His Excellency President John Dramani Mahama and the NDC elevated him as a servant of the whole nation by appointing him as Minister for Defence March 2013 to June 2014 Minister of The Interior August 2014 – February 2016 Minister of State for the Presidency 2016
Mr. Speaker, upon leaving Parliament and the Executive, Hon. Woyongo returned to the long loved profession of farming. I am happy to state that, his decision to go to the Yagba Kobori area contributed in attracting notable personalities into the area to venture into commercial farming. He loved his farming to the extent that, even with ill health, he always insisted on going to the farm. The Soo community, the chief and his elders, men, women and children, will forever remember and cherish Hon Woyongo because he brought so much life to the community. The women found income earning jobs to support their families from his farms.
Mr. Speaker, Hon. Mark Owen Woyongo has dutifully served his country and he will be fondly remembered. His footprint and legacy will live after him. The good people of Navrongo will miss and the country will sorely miss him.
May his soul rest in perfect peace.
I thank you, Mr Speaker.
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