It was a day of tears, solemn reflection and painful political undertones yesterday as the Shai-Osudoku Constituency of the National Democratic Congress laid to rest its late Constituency Secretary, Jones Nuetey Ayertey.
From the early hours of the day, mourners began arriving in their numbers to pay their last respects to a man many described as humble, dependable, disciplined and deeply committed to the work of the party. The funeral grounds were filled with party colours, grieving family members, constituency executives, branch and ward officers, sympathisers and ordinary citizens who had come to honour a man whose service to the NDC touched many lives.
The funeral was well attended by party members and executives from across the constituency and other parts of the Greater Accra Region. Among the dignitaries who graced the occasion were Hon. Tetteh Chai, Greater Accra Regional Secretary of the NDC; Anthony Nukpenu, Greater Accra Regional Organiser; Felicia Mokpor, Greater Accra Regional Women Organiser; Prof. Michael Kpessa-Whyte, a member of the NDC from the constituency; Dr. Ebenezer Djagbletey, a constituency party elder; Mr. Isaac Kofi Kportsu, Constituency Chairman; Hon. David Tetteh Assumeng, former Member of Parliament for the constituency; and the District Chief Executive for Shai-Osudoku.
As the body of the late secretary lay before mourners, the grief on the faces of party members told its own story. For many, Jones Nuetey Ayertey was not merely a party officer. He was a bridge between executives and the grassroots, a calm and accessible figure who could be relied upon in moments of pressure, confusion and need.
Various tributes read in his memory described him as a man of humility, professionalism and quiet sacrifice. Tribute after tribute spoke of his readiness to assist others, his loyalty to the NDC, and his commitment to party work even when there was little personal reward.
In one of the most touching moments of the ceremony, the constituency leadership paid glowing tribute to his memory, describing him as a servant of the party whose example should inspire unity rather than division.
“Jones served this party with humility, loyalty and a heart that was open to all,” the Constituency Chairman, Mr. Isaac Kofi Kportsu, said in his remarks. “The best honour we can give him is not only to mourn him today, but to protect the unity of the party he served with such dedication.”
The chairman urged party members to allow the passing of the late secretary to become a moment of sober reflection.
“We must remember that no constituency can remain strong when its members are divided,” he said. “Jones believed in service, sacrifice and togetherness. If we truly loved him, then we must recommit ourselves to the unity of Shai-Osudoku NDC.”
Other tributes echoed a similar message. Several speakers reminded mourners that the NDC’s strength in the constituency had always rested on its grassroots base, its branch structures and the loyalty of ordinary members who worked quietly for the party in good times and difficult moments.
One tribute described the late secretary as “a man who never allowed position to separate him from the people.” Another said he was “a unifier, a listener and a dependable comrade whose absence will be deeply felt in the constituency secretariat and beyond.”
Amid the tears and tributes, however, the funeral also exposed deep unease within sections of the party in the constituency. Conspicuously absent from the funeral was the sitting Member of Parliament for Shai-Osudoku, Hon. Linda Ocloo. Her absence became one of the most discussed issues among mourners at the funeral grounds.
Many party members who spoke to this reporter expressed disappointment that the MP did not attend the funeral of a constituency secretary who had served the party faithfully. Some said her absence was difficult to understand, especially given the position the late Jones held in the constituency party structure.
Others expressed concern over claims that the MP did not visit the late secretary when he was hospitalised before his death. To them, the failure to show up at the funeral only deepened an already troubling perception that the MP had become distant from sections of the party grassroots.
“This is not how a party family should behave,” one visibly disappointed party member said. “When someone who served the party at this level passes on, leadership must be seen. It is not only about politics; it is about respect, compassion and unity.”
Another mourner said the absence of the MP reflected what many party faithful had been quietly discussing for some time.
“The party is bigger than any one person,” he said. “If we continue like this, we will create wounds that will be difficult to heal. We need unity, but unity must come with humility and respect for the people who do the work on the ground.”
A few citizens spoken to at the funeral grounds were even more direct, arguing that the MP had outlived her welcome in the constituency. In their view, the growing disaffection between the MP and sections of the party, if not addressed, could affect the NDC’s fortunes in future elections.
Some party members warned that internal division, neglect of grassroots concerns and poor relations with constituency structures could become politically costly. They said the funeral of Jones Nuetey Ayertey should serve as a wake-up call to the party leadership in Shai-Osudoku.
Despite these concerns, the day remained primarily one of mourning. As the final funeral rites continued, mourners sang, prayed and reflected on the life of a man many said gave his best to the NDC without demanding recognition.
The late Jones Nuetey Ayertey was remembered as a man of service, a professional in his work, a loyal party officer and a friend to many. His passing has left a deep void in the Shai-Osudoku NDC, especially among those who knew him not only as a secretary but as a comrade who was always willing to help.
As he was finally laid to rest, the mood at the funeral grounds was heavy with grief. But beyond the sorrow, there was also a clear message from mourners: the party must heal, leadership must listen, and the unity for which Jones worked must not be sacrificed on the altar of personal differences.
For many in Shai-Osudoku, the funeral of Jones Nuetey Ayertey was not only a farewell to a dedicated party servant. It was also a painful reminder that political families are sustained not merely by elections and positions, but by loyalty, compassion, respect and the willingness to stand with one another in moments of pain.
