Human Traffic At Aliu Mahama's Residence

Final prayers for the departed Alhaji Aliu Mahama

Posted on: www.dailyguideghana.com

By William Yaw Owusu

Accra, Monday November 19, 2012.

Tributes have been pouring in from all over Ghana for Alhaji Aliu Mahama, former Vice President who died suddenly at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra on Friday.

The purported death of the man who served as former President John Agyekum Kufuor’s vice for eight years (2001 - 2009)on Wednesday turned out to be a hoax and that angered a lot of people especially residents of his home region in Tamale.

As a result when news broke that he finally succumbed to death at the Cardiothoracic Centre where he was on life support, the anger and bitterness appeared to have subsided and mourning mood activated.

On Saturday at his Cantonments residence in Accra, hundreds of mourners including President John Dramani Mahama, former President Kufuor and a host of other dignitaries thronged the place to pay their last respect to the man whom many described as ‘humble’.

There was a long queue to sign the book of condolence in his memory and mourners waited patiently to take their turn.

Although in a typical political season, there was nothing to distinguish between as all the political parties has come together to mourn the late Vice President.

The controversy over where he should be buried kept recurring until news broke that news broke that he was finally to be flown to the Northern Region for interment.

Earlier, Communications Minister Haruna Iddrisu had announced at Korle-Bu moments after the tragic death that the late Alhaji Mahama was to be buried at the Osu Military Cemetery. It was later changed to the Asomdwee Park where President John Evans Atta Mills was buried in another government release before they finally settled on the deceased’s home region.

As Muslim tradition demands, the late Vice president should have been buried perhaps the same day he passed on but due to circumstances beyond control of both the family and the government his burial ceremony delayed for at least 2 days.

However Sheikh Seebaway Zakaria, a prominent Islamic cleric who was at the former vice president’s residence told DAILY GUIDE that because Alhaji Mahama was a national figure, any arrangement regarding the burial needed to be handled with utmost circumspection.

“We needed to build consensus between the government, family and the Islamic community that is why the burial delayed somehow,” he explained.

President Kufuor who arrived at noon was visibly grieving and he went straight to console wife of the deceased, Hajia Ramatu Mahama and the family.

He later told journalists that he felt part of him is lost.

“We became like family members. His loss is very personal to me,” and described his late Vice as somebody who had “great temperament.”

“He was dedicated to the country, the government and party. He was respectful and did not discriminate.”

President Mahama, his wife Lordina and the entourage arrived from Sunyani on a campaign trail at about 4pm and after consoling the widow, children and family, he signed the book of condolence and left.

Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia who is partnering NPP’s Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for the 2012 general elections was at the residence throughout the day to console the widow, children and family.

Ms Eva Lokko who is partnering Dr. Papa Kwesi Nduom on the ticket of the newly-formed Progressive People’s Party (PPP) could not hold back her tears and had to be escorted out of the premises.

Metropolitan Archbishop of Accra Gabriel Charles Palmer-Buckle remembered Alhaji Mahama for his crusade against indiscipline in the society.

He said it was up to every Ghanaian to continue from where the deceased left off saying “He served his country to the best of his ability.”

Foreign Minister Alhaji Mohammed Mumuni described the late Vice President as someone who gave ‘wise counsel’ and called on young politicians to learn from how the deceased conducted his political affairs.

Algerian Ambassador to Ghana, Larbi Katti said the late Alhaji Mahama was “a personal friend and a good man” adding “I pray Allah grants him peaceful rest.”

Mayor of Accra, Alfred Okoe Vanderpuije said the deceased did not discriminate in attending functions whether Islamic or not.

Professor Ken Agyemang Attafuah, a renowned criminologist described the late Vice President as “a peace maker, statesman and a decent man who spoke little but worked hard.

Alhaji Hudu Yahaya leading member of the NDC said the late Vice President impacted his life personally, describing him as “brilliant, statesman and a good Muslim.”

Andrew Awuni who served as the deceased special assistant in the early days of the NPP administration said “He was a generous man whose house was opened to everybody at all times.”

Joseph Kofi Adda, NPP MP for Navrongo Central said Ghana has lost a leader with experience in governance and said the deceased was a bridge between Muslims and Christians.

Beatrice Bernice Boateng, NPP MP for New Juaben South described the deceased as gentle, respectful and trustworthy and accepted everybody.

Gifty Ohene Konadu, NPP MP for Asante Akim South said “Aliu Mahama gave great respect to all and supported President Kufuor to fully serve his term.