Thousands of Ghanaians from all walks of life – clergy, laymen, politicians, security services etc – thronged the auditorium of the Garrison Methodist/Presbyterian Church, Burma Camp Friday to pay their last respect to the late former Health Minister, Major (rtd) Courage Quashigah. With the main auditorium filled to capacity, a sea of mourners endured the scorching sun at the precincts of the church where the pre-burial service was held. Major (rtd) Quashigah passed away in Israel on January 5, 2010. He was in that country to attend a conference but decided to go for a medical check-up when it was discovered that a medical condition he managed for years had worsened. At the pre-burial service, tonnes of tributes poured in, eulogizing the soldier-turned-politician, describing him as a patriot, humble, diligent, and meticulous person. Virtually everybody that matters in the opposition New Patriotic Party in which he unconventionally – many thought it was sacrilegious for him not to support the NDC - served as First National Organiser were at the ceremony. Among them were former president J.A. Kufuor and his wife, former Vice-President, Aliu Mahama, Mr Alan Kyerematen, Kwabena Agyapong, MP for Subin, Isaac Osei, Dr Richard Anane, former Chief of Staff, Kwadwo Mpiani, current and former party chairmen, Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey and Mac Manu respectively, Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament Prof. Mike Ocquaye, former Minister of Defence, Philip Addo Kufuor, Dr Kofi Konado Apraku, and the list continues. On the government side, were the Chief of Defence Staff, Lt. Gen. Peter Augustine Blay, Defence Minister Lt Gen. Joseph Henry Smith, Works and Social Welfare Minister E.T. Mensah amongst others. The "alt" In a tribute read for him by his spokesperson, Frank Agyekum, former president Kufuor recalled with nostalgia his coming into contact with the late Quashigah in the political world in 1992. He said he since found in the singer, motivational speaker and diligent soldier, a dependable, meticulous reliable friend and strategic thinker. Mr Kufuor particularly praised the man he appointed Health Minister, for his health consciousness and the frantic efforts he made to conscientise the nation to see the need in living healthy lifestyles. The former president said the late Ranger’s passing was not only a great loss to the NPP but the nation and the world at large.