Ghana’s former President, Flt Lt Jerry John Rawlings has described late IGP, S. S. Omane as a remarkable man and a national asset. 

President Rawlings said Mr. Omane represented a generation who believed in discipline, a high level of respectability and integrity.

The former President made the comments when a delegation representing the family of the former Inspector General of Police called on him on Wednesday to formally announce his passing.

Mr. Omane who was IGP between March 1984 and June 1986 passed away on September 11, 2014.

President Rawlings, under whose tenure Mr. Omane served as IGP, said: “His name was tall as a kite and he stood out as someone who left a mark even when the country was going apart. He performed creditably when he was appointed Inspector General and left office with his integrity intact.” 

Mr. Omane, President Rawlings stated, helped to restore command and control and the quality of governance in the 1980s.

“Those were the days when men were men and I respected his qualities. He helped to restore integrity in people and institutions. Nowadays people dare not speak their minds lest they lose their businesses. Let us live our lives as a true reflection of godliness,” President Rawlings said.

The delegation, which was led by Brigadier General Francis Agyemfra, informed President Rawlings that the late Omane will be buried with full Police honours at Kyebi on November 1.

Brigadier Agyemfra expressed the family’s gratitude to President Rawlings for giving them audience and also stated that the police hierarchy as well as retired officers had all called on the family to express their solidarity and condolences.

Other members of the delegation were Opanyin Kwadwo Asare, Awurabena Boafo, Nana Yaa Omane-Peprah and Maame Pokua.