A former New Patriotic Party Member of Parliament (MP) for Shama Constituency, Dr Ato Panford has died. 

It is not immediately known the cause of his death but MyJoyOnline.com sources say he died this morning. 

The source said “Uncle Ato”, as he is otherwise called, died at the GPHA Hospital in Takoradi. 

Dr Panford was the MP for Shama in the Seventh Parliament of the Fourth Republic.

Until his demise this morning, he was the senior Advisor of Enterprise Audit – AfCFTA National Coordinating Office.

Tributes have already started pouring in. 

For instance, the former Minister for Trade and Industry, Alan Kyerematen has commiserated with his family and the party as a whole. 

In a Facebook post, he said “I have received with sadness the passing of my very good friend and former Member of Parliament for Shama Constituency, Dr Ato Panford.

“I spoke to the wife, son and a few family members a while ago. 

“Ato was an astute expert in International Trade and Commerce and distinguished himself as an Industrialist with over 25 years in the Private and Public sectors.”