Mark Owen Woyongo, a former Minister of Defence and Member of Parliament for the Navrongo Central Constituency, has died at age 78.
A press statement signed by the head of the Woyongo Family, Awini Zinge said the former MP died on Wednesday, January 17, 2024, at the Bank of Ghana Hospital.
"Head of the Woyongo Family, Mr. Awini Zinge of Nayagnia – Navrongo, wish to announce with deep sorrow the death of their beloved son and brother, Hon. Mark Owen Woyongo. The sad event occurred on Wednesday, 17th January 2024 at the Bank of Ghana Hospital," the family announced.
Mark Woyongo was MP for Navrongo Central from 2012 to 2016 when he lost the seat to the New Patriotic Party’s late Joseph Kofi Addo.
He announced his retirement from politics, disclosing in December 2016 that he would not contest any political position again.
Mr Woyongo first stood for election on the ticket of the National Democratic Congress in the 2008 parliamentary election, winning 41.7% of the votes and losing to Joseph Kofi Adda of the New Patriotic Party by 1,130 votes (3.5%).
He was, however, appointed the Upper East Regional Minister by late President John Evans Atta Mills in his government in 2009.
He was retained in that position by former President John Dramani Mahama following the death of President Mills.
In 2013, he was nominated by President Mahama for the position of Minister for Defence.