Former president Jerry John Rawlings has described the sudden death of Paul Victor Obeng, Chairman of the National Development Planning Commission as "a national loss".

The Senior Presidential Adviser died Saturday at a hospital after he reportedly collapsed at the Agape Filling Station at Spintex Road in Accra.

In a statement, the former president under whom Mr. Obeng served chairman of the Committee of Secretaries under the Provisional National Defence Council regime (PNDC) from 1982–1992, said the late P.V Obeng was "one of our most adept and captivating minds".

"PV as he was affectionately called played significant roles in the country’s socio-political development from 1979 till his unexpected demise.

 "As a politician, technocrat and professional he paid his dues in diverse ways and his loss is a national loss. He had his imperfections but he was still a rare gem of a man," Mr. Rawlings noted.

"On behalf of Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings and the rest of the family I extend heartfelt condolences to his wife and family".

Mr Obeng was appointed in 2010, under President John Atta Mills administration as chairman of the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC).

Obeng was the chief consultant and Chairman of OB Associates, a public and private sector consulting firm and chairman of Ghana Agro and Food company (GAFCO).

He also served as Presidential Adviser on Governmental Affairs under the National Democratic Congress (NDC ) from 1992- 1997.

He was the Chairman of the Ghana Investment Promotion Council (GIPC) from 1992- 1997.

In Addition, P.V. was serving as director on the Board of Guinness Ghana Limited.

He had recently been nominated by President Mahama as a Senior Presidential Adviser at the Presidency.

P.V Obeng was a product of Opoku Ware School and Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology.

P.V Obeng was crucial in the organisation of the just ended National Economic Forum.