Former Veep,Aliu Mahama's final journey home

Preparations are underway to convey the body of the late former Vice-President of Ghana, Alhaji Aliu Mahama to his birth place of Tamale in the Northern Region for burial.
His family resisted initial plans to bury him in Accra at the newly christened Asomdwee Park where President John Atta Mills who died in July this year was buried.
Television pictures showed a simple grave dug in accordance with Islamic traditions.
The body was laid at the State House for filing past by selected dignitaries.
Prayers were held for him at the Black Star Square before the mortal remains will be flown to Tamale.
His son Farouk Mahama, accompanied by his siblings, delivered a tribute saying: “Our late father was a special father…he insisted we do the right thing…”
“Alhaji Aliu Mahama, may the almighty Allah give you eternal rest…”
Flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Addo Dankwa Akuffo-Addo delivered a tribute on behalf of the party, saying: the NPP has lost a hardworking activist.
“I had my last conversation with him last 2weeks in Tamale”, he recalled and stated that the former veep can only rest in peace if full peace and reconciliation in Dagbon is achieved.
“Ghana has lost a patriot and a dignified national, Dagbon has lost its illustrious son. May the almighty Allah grant him eternal rest.”
Former President John Agyekum Kufuor in his tribute said Aliu Mahama “was not only my Vice President but my brother…We grew closer together and our families became close”.
My family share deeply in the pain his demise has caused, he was the best veep any president will want to have, Mr Kufuor said and noted that throughout his eight-year rule, he and the late veep had no notable disagreements.
Mr Kufuor said Aliu Mahama always carried himself very well as veep even though he was a self-made man before becoming a vice president.
Aliu’s kind and cool nature endeared him to me, the former President said, he was hard working, diligent and contributed immensely to my government.
He was above all a good human being; the NPP has lost a stalwart, Ghana has lost a patriot.
May his soul rest in perfect peace, Mr Kufuor prayed.
Aliu, my brother and friend, damirifa due, da yie and thank you.
Recalling the death of late President John Evans Atta Mills in July, President John Mahama said Alhaji Aliu Mahama’s death has again brought a sense of togetherness among Ghanaians.
He also spoke of the endearing qualities of the late former veep and prayed that Allah grants him peaceful and eternal rest.
Chief Imam of the Ghana Armed forces, Sheik Aremeyaw gave the sermon saying death is not necessarily an evil thing. He asked Allah to forgive the late former veep his past sins and also urged Ghanaians to do away with contentions and bitterness.
National Chief Imam, Sheik Nuhu Sharabutu led final prayers, standing with other Muslims behind the casket.
The funeral ceremony ended with the National Anthem after which the body of the late veep was lifted onto a gun-carriage for a procession along with a 19-gun salute.
 
Myjoyonline.com