Vice- President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has described late Chairman of NPP Council of Elders, Akenten Appiah-Menka, as mentor, patriot and a pillar of the ruling party.

He says the lawyer, politician and industrialist lived a selfless life, and remained kind even on his sick bed.

"We are thankful to God for the selflessness with which you lived your life. Even on your death bed, you were so kind. May your soul rest in peace. We will miss you."

Dr. Bawumia’s tribute is one of many as hundreds of NPP leaders and supporters converged at late Appiah-Menka’s residence to observe one week of his passing.

His last major national duty as a statesman was his membership to the Constitutional Review Commission under the late President Mills.

Mr. Appiah-Menka was Minister of State in the Busia Regime of the Second Republic.

On the industrial front, he was owner of Appiah Menka Complex which produced the once popular   Apino Soap, among other products.

Mr. Appiah-Menka’s death last week at age 84, shocked the NPP fraternity and many other Ghanaians.

Vice-President Bawumia says Ghana will miss the astute businessman and statesman.

"A father, a mentor, a patriot, NPP, an astute businessman. These are some of the few qualities that you showed to the  world."

Other New Patriotic Party  stalwarts who have been paying similar tributes.

They include former Works and Housing Minister, Hackman Owusu Agemang, chairman of Ghana Cocoa Board who describes the late Appiah-Menka as an 'iconic figure' in the New Patriotic Party.

" For our tradition, he becomes an icon. He is an iconic figure on what he did and what he continued to do; his commitment, dedication also to the nation. You remember that he even served on President Mills' commission. He is a man of who first have Ghana at first   and of course the NPP."

For Environment and Science Minister, Professor Kwabena Frimpong Boateng, the late legal practitioner was "someone you can trust."

"He is a great person who was a real human being; somebody you can trust. You can walk to his home,  his office anytime and he will give you the best of advise.

Chairman of Lands Commission and former National Vice Chairman of the NPP, Stephen Ayensu Ntim described him as courageous.

 "His courage in commenting on sensitive party and national issues and damned the consequences. This is what I will remember him for  forever."

Meanwhile, final funeral rites the late Appiah –Menkah is slated for May 24, 2018, in Kumasi.