State Burial Service Held For Former VEEP

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Created on Sunday, 18 November 2012 00:00

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State Burial Service Held For Former VEEP

A state burial service has been held for the late Alhaji Aliu Mahama, former Vice President of Ghana at the Independence Square in Accra.

The body of the former Vice President who died last Friday at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital was paraded through the principal streets of Accra from the Korle Bu Mortuary Sunday morning before arriving at the Independence Square.

Dignitaries including President John Dramani Mahama, former Presidents John Agyekum Kufuor and Jerry John Rawlings, NPP flagbearer, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, PPP flagbearer, Dr. Papa Kwesi Ndoum, Chief Justice, Georgina Theodora Wood and many more attended the ceremony which was televised nationwide.

Lieutenant Colonel Bansibu offered Christian prayers to kick start proceedings whilst the National Chief Imam, Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu offered Muslim prayers for the Late Alhaji Aliu Mahama.

Farouk Mahama, son of the late Alhaji Aliu Mahama read the first tribute on behalf of the children after the Zikirr (A Muslim Prayer). He was accompanied by his siblings. "He was a special father.", he said.

"He was a special father. We know that he has gone to his maker where Allah loves him more than us. May Allah have mercy on us; we love you daddy." Farouk Mahama said.

Flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Addo Dankwa Akuffo-Addo delivered a tribute on behalf of the party.

"The NPP has lost a hardworking activist... I had my last conversation with him last two weeks in Tamale. Ghana has lost a patriot. Dagbon has lost its illustrious son, May the almighty Allah grant him eternal rest", he said.

Former President John Agyekum Kufuor in his tribute said Aliu Mahama was not only his Vice President but a brother. "We grew closer together and our families became close”.

He said Aliu always carried himself very well as Vice President, was hard working, diligent and contributed immensely to government.

President John Dramani Mahama in his tribute recalled the death of late President John Evans Atta Mills and said Alhaji Aliu Mahama’s death has again brought a sense of togetherness among Ghanaians.

He talked about the qualities of the late former Vice President and prayed that Allah grants him peaceful and eternal rest.

The Chief Imam of the Ghana Armed forces, Sheik Aremeyaw gave the sermon and prayed that Allah forgive the late Aliu Mahama his sins and also urged Ghanaians to do away with contentions and bitterness.

The National Chief Imam, Sheik Nuhu Sharabutu led final prayers standing behind the casket.

The body was put on a gun carriage and a 19-gun salute was fired in honour of the late former Vice President.

The body was later taken to the Airforce Base in Accra from where it was expected to be air-lifted to Tamale in the Northern Region for burial and final funeral rites.

Source: Graphic.com.gh