John Akparibo Ndebugre, who passed away on Friday, May 6, 2022, is receiving accolades from those who truly knew him, as one of the country’s extraordinary legal brains and politicians.
Interestingly, amongst of those extolling the virtues of the man who never bothered to swim against the tide and dared to speak against powerful people, including Presidents in a manner and language they didn’t tolerate, is his fiercest political rival from the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Cletus Avoka, the current Member of Parliament (MP) for Zebilla; a seat, the great “Nde” used to occupy.
Ndebugre, was a man of conviction, and according to Mr Avoka, Ghana has lost a great person who was committed and dedicated to the development of the country.
“All those who know him can testify to his ability. He is very forthright. He has a lot of passion for what he does and what he believes in. He is a brilliant lawyer. I think the whole country has lost an illustrious politician,” Mr Avoka, said of Ndebugre, who started his political career as part of Jerry John Rawlings’ Provisional National Defense Council (PNDC), a military junta.
He was said to be a good friend of Flt. Lt. Rawlings, and was even made a Regional Secretary but they fell out.
Cletus Avoka, said that he had known Ndebugre at the Navrongo Senior High School where they both schooled and became good friends.
Mr Avoka, who is a lawyer himself and had had various ministerial appointments, described Ndebugre, as one of Ghana’s extraordinary legal brains and politicians.
Clara Kassar-Tee of Kasser Law Firm, has also expressed her sadness at the demise of Mr Ndebugre.
Clara in a Facebook post on Friday, May 6, 2022, said that the late John Ndebugre, contributed immensely towards the growth of the legal profession in Ghana.
“It is with deep sadness that I am compelled to take in the news of the death of Mr. John Ndebugre. Mr Ndebugre was a great son of our land who contributed to the law profession and to our nation. May he rest in peace and may God comfort his family. This is sad,” her post read.
According to reports, the former Peoples National Convention (PNC) MP who also had stints with the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) died at the age of 72, after a short illness.
He is said to have died at Zebilla in the Bawku West District of the Upper East Region.
The former MP, who was a lawyer by profession, was married and had four children.
Ndebugre was born on March 12, 1950. He was a product of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the university.
He was also a product of the Ghana School of Law, where he acquired a Bachelor of Law degree from the school.
Ndebugre was a member of the People’s National Convention. He became an MP for the Zebilla constituency in January 2005 after emerging as the winner in the General Election in December 2004.
His constituency was a part of the 3 parliamentary seats out of 13 seats won by the PNC in that election for the Upper East Region.
The PNC won a minority total of 4 parliamentary seats out of 230 seats. He was elected with 11,026 votes out of 31,188 total valid votes cast. This was equivalent to 35.4% of total valid votes cast.
He was elected over Appiah Moses of the (NPP), Cletus Apul Avoka of the NDC and Sulley Aneda Apam of the Convention People’s Party (CPP).
Citi FM’s Umaru Sanda Amadu wrote on his passing, saying “I’ve known John Ndebugre for more than a decade. He was like a dad. Just a month ago, his sons came to my office and we all spoke to him on the phone from his base in Zebilla.
“We have tried unsuccessfully to stop him from going to court even at 72. He was one of the smartest and controversial lawyer/politician I’ve encountered and interviewed…
“He served under the Rawlings led PNDC government and had so much to tell about their relationship until they fell out.
“He served as Martin Amidu’s boss as Upper East Regional PNDC Secretary at one point. The two of them have always been friends.
“I had threatened Hon Nde to write his memoirs, else, we’ll not organise his funeral. He started writing but didn’t go far. Today, he’s gone with all that treasure of memory. I’m truly devastated. Condolences to Thomas, Nelson and the family.–
