"Eric was more than gold"-Speaker Bagbin eulogises late Jirapa Dubai CEO

The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, paid tribute to the late Chief Executive Officer of the Royal Cossy Hills Hotel, known as Jirapa Dubai, Mr. Eric Johnson.

He spoke about his close relationship with the former CEO, describing him as being worth more than gold. The 60-year-old business mogul was tragically murdered at his private residence in Jirapa on February 11, 2024.

Currently, three individuals are on trial at the Wa High Court for the brutal murder of Mr. Eric Johnson.

He was laid to rest on Saturday, June 1, 2024, in Jirapa. The burial and memorial service was attended by family, government officials, business partners, religious leaders, chiefs, and people from all walks of life.

Mr Bagbin said that the gruesome death of Eric Johnson reduced the lives of many people because of his impact on their lives.

“I want you all to support me to let us touch the hearts of all because our beloved brother Eric Johnson touched and impacted so many lives to the extent that his gruesome murder really reduced the lives of many.

“You know him very well, a man of humility, very soft spoken, soft hearted, compassionate and loved. Eric, was more than gold,” he stated.

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, represented by former Interior Minister Mr. Ambrose Dery, described the late Eric Johnson as a visionary.

He credited Johnson with putting Jirapa on the map through the establishment of the Royal Cossy Hills Hotel. He believes that justice will be served in the case as the suspects are currently in court.

“His death was bizarre to all of us but the Ghana Police Service worked very hard and got to the bottom of the matter, arrested a suspect and the suspect is now before court. We believe that justice would be done in the case of the republic verses the suspect.”

In a short sermon by the parish priest of Jirapa, Rev. Fr. Bernette Bachieyie, he noted that Mr. Johnson was a unifier during his time on earth.

He called on the youth and the people of Jirapa to be calm and allow the courts to deal with the matter as three individuals are on trial for the murder of Eric Johnson.

The late Eric Johnson was honoured for his exceptional leadership, resilience, and wisdom in tributes read by the kids, the Paramount Chief of the Jirapa Traditional Area, and the Abiere-Kuubiere family.