The Shai-Osudoku constituency of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) on Saturday, June 27, 2026, bid a final farewell to its late Constituency Secretary, Jones Nuetey Ayertey, in a funeral that combined heartfelt tributes with visible political undercurrents.
Hundreds of mourners, including family members, party executives, branch officers, and ordinary sympathisers, gathered at the funeral grounds from early morning to pay their last respects to a man widely remembered as humble, dedicated, and deeply committed to the party’s grassroots work.
Among the dignitaries present were Greater Accra Regional Secretary Tetteh Chai, Regional Organiser Anthony Nukpenu, Regional Women’s Organiser Felicia Mokpor, Prof. Michael Kpessa-Whyte, Constituency Chairman Isaac Kofi Kportsu, former Member of Parliament David Tetteh Assumeng, and the Shai-Osudoku District Chief Executive.
In his tribute, Constituency Chairman Isaac Kofi Kportsu described the late Ayertey as a servant-leader whose life should inspire unity.
“Jones served this party with humility, loyalty, and a heart open to all,” Kportsu said.
“The best honour we can give him is to protect the unity of the party he served with such dedication.”
Other speakers recalled Ayertey as a calming presence within the party, a man who bridged the gap between leadership and the grassroots, and someone who never allowed his position to separate him from the people.
However, the somber mood was punctuated by growing discontent over the absence of the sitting Member of Parliament for the constituency, Hon. Linda Ocloo.
Her failure to attend the funeral became a major talking point among mourners, with many expressing disappointment that the MP did not show up to honour a senior party officer who had served faithfully.
Some party members also alleged that Ocloo had not visited the late secretary during his illness before his death.
“This is not how a party family should behave,” one mourner said. “When someone who served at this level passes on, leadership must be seen. It is about respect, compassion, and unity.”
Another party faithful warned: “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 doing the work on the ground.”
A few citizens went further, suggesting that the MP had outlived her welcome in the constituency and that the growing disaffection, if unaddressed, could hurt the NDC’s electoral fortunes in the future.
Despite the tensions, the day remained primarily one of mourning. As final rites were observed, mourners sang, prayed, and reflected on the life of a man described as a loyal officer, a professional, and a friend to many.
As Ayertey was laid to rest, the overriding message from the gathering was clear: the party must heal, leadership must listen, and the unity that Jones championed must not be sacrificed to personal differences.
For many in Shai-Osudoku, the funeral was not just a farewell but a sobering reminder that political parties are held together not by positions and elections alone, but by loyalty, compassion, and the willingness to stand with one another in moments of grief.
