Staff of the Ministry of Ombudsman have paid tribute to pioneer of the Ministry, Siaosi Taimani âAho on social media.
âAho, 79, died peacefully on April 27 following an undisclosed illness.
The Ministry tweeted on Saturday that âAho was Tongaâs first Commissioner for Public Relations in 2001.
The post was established under the Commissioner for Public Relations Act 2001, to carry out duties similar to those of a traditional Ombudsman.
The law was changed in 2016 and the title of the Commissioner for Public Relations was replaced with Ombudsman.
âAho, who was the Public Relations Commissioner until 2004, was also a former Minister of Justice, Attorney General and Police,
He was also Tongaâs first High Commissioner to New Zealand and the United Kingdom.
He was laid to rest today April 30 at Fasiâs Takaunove cemetery.
Amongst his many accolades during his loyal service to the Government of Tonga, Mr. âAho was the founding Commissioner for Public Relations and started the Office in 2001. He held the post as Commissioner until 2004. #Siaositaimaniaho pic.twitter.com/BdHi33kcKJ
â Ombudsman Tonga (@OmbudsmanTonga) April 28, 2018
We thank you for your service, constant support and positive contributions in planting the seed for the current Office today.
May you Rest in Peace and in Godâs love. #Siaositaimaniaho pic.twitter.com/TfOkyCGkjK
â Ombudsman Tonga (@OmbudsmanTonga) April 28, 2018