President Akufo-Addo has paid a glowing tribute to the late former General Secretary of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie.

He described the 67-year-old popularly known as Sir John as "Energetic, ebullient, jovial, with an exceptional sense of humour, and possessing a limitless store of folktales and proverbs."

The president in a Facebook post said Sir John "affected positively every person with whom he came into contact. He was truly unforgettable, and our party and government owe him an immense debt for his work and commitment."

Mr Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie died in Accra on Wednesday evening after a short illness. He died after testing positive for Covid-19.

He succumbed to complications of the disease while undergoing treatment at the ICU of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital.

Until his death, Sir John was the CEO of the Forestry Commission.

President Akufo-Addo said he received the news of the death of Mr Owusu Afriyie with great shock and deep sadness.

"Indeed, the disbelief and grief expressed by many at the news of his death are testimony to how people, in and out of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), felt about him," he said.

According to the president, the deceased was a "passionate devotee of the Danquah-Dombo-Busia political tradition, an outstanding stalwart of the NPP, strong defender of human rights as a lawyer, proud, a faithful adherent of the Christian Adventist faith – these were the multi-faceted aspects of the career and character of ‘Sir John’, which earned him considerable renown both as erstwhile General Secretary of the NPP and CEO of the Forestry Commission."

"My wife Rebecca and I extend our deepest condolences to his entire family. Sakora Wonoo has lost a valiant son. He will be widely missed.

"May the Good Lord bless him and give him a peaceful place of abode in His Bosom until the Last Day of the Resurrection when we shall all meet again.

"Sir John, we will never forget you!!" president Akufo-Addo said.