President John Mahama on Saturday joined hundreds of mourners at the forecourt of the State House to pay his last respect to the late Harry Sawyerr who died last month at age 87.

The astute politician and chartered surveyor was a former member of the Council of State.

The late Harry Sawyerr was also a former Minister of Education during the Provisional National Defence Council having served as Minister of Transport during the Limann administration in 1980.

Harry Sawyerr resigned his position as Vice-Chairman of the Council of Elders of the governing National Democratic Congress days before he turned 87.

President Mahama described him as a distinguished man whose principles must be adopted and used by people in public office.

He urged those present to emulate the late Harry Sawyerr’s principles especially in public service.

Some leading members of the NDC also praised the achievements of the former statesman especially his contribution to the party.

They described him as an epitome of integrity; a man whose credentials should be used as the standards to measure the contributions of ministers and members of the party.

Also present as the funeral service were former presidents Jerry Rawlings and John Agyekum Kufuor and Speaker of Parliament Edward Doe Adjaho.

Harry Sawyerr was laid to rest at the Basel Mission Cemetery in Accra.