Former President, Flt Lt Jerry John Rawlings, has paid glowing tribute to distinguished medical practitioner Dr. Titus Aruna Morton, who passed away on November 21 at the age of 95.

President Rawlings described the late Morton who was a personal doctor of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah as a mild-mannered but disciplined personality who strove for excellence and brought a touch of class to every thing he did.

 He made the comments when the family of Dr. Morton called on him last Tuesday to formally announce the passing of their beloved.

 The former President said knowing Dr. Morton’s personality he would have taken the opportunity as personal physician and friend to President Nkrumah to hammer home some truths to him during the late President’s tenure.

 President Rawlings lamented the fact that though personalities such as Dr. Morton created an aura of moral and spiritual substance around them that impacted positively on his wider community, such quality spiritual essence had depreciated in recent years.

The former President recounted his long-standing relationship with Dr. Morton, which spanned several decades.

Trained at Kinbu Primary and Mfantsipim, Dr. Morton also studied medicine in Scotland before serving theCommonwealth as a trainee doctor during the Second World War.

The military training he received set the tone for the self-discipline, determination and humility, which became the hallmark of his distinguished career.

Morton established the AtaaQuarshie Morton Memorial in Adabraka in 1950 and dedicated many years of his career to offering free medical care to about fifty per cent of his clients.

In another development a delegation of Chiefs from the Sefwi Wiawso Traditional Council called on President Rawlings last Wednesday to formally inform him of the final funeral rites of the late Nana Nkuah Okumdom II, Omanhene and Paramount Chief of the Sefwi Wiawso Traditional Area.

The delegation included Nana Kwaku Nkuah II, Bosomoisohene and Acting President of the Sefwi Wiawso Traditional Council, Nana Kwaw Ampim Ababio, Chief of Sefwi Amafie and Dabenhene of the Sefwi Traditional Area, Nana Frimpong Manso Ababio, Sefwi Paboasehene and Mponuahene of the Sefwi Traditional Area and Sefwi Ankontombrahene and Benkumhene of the Sefwi Traditional Area, Nana Kwesi Kwarteng Ababio.

The delegation informed President Rawlings that the final funeral rites would take place at the Okugyeabour Palace, Sefwi Wiawso on Friday December 13.

President Rawlings recalled the positive role the people of Sefwi Wiawso played during his tenure as President and Head of State and called on the chiefs and people to ensure that the succession to the throne is seamless and devoid of acrimony.